Berlin: Germany unleashed a volley of criticism on Tuesday against US President Donald Trump, slamming his "short-sighted" policies that have "weakened the West" and hurt European interests.
The sharp words from foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel came after Trump concluded his first official tour abroad which took him to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for the 2017 G7 summit.
They followed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's warning on Sunday that the United States and Britain may no longer be completely reliable partners.
Gabriel said on Tuesday that "anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk". He added, "The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," judging that "the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker".
When Trump was inaugurated in January, Merkel had told the billionaire and former reality TV show star that cooperation would be on the basis of shared democratic values. The relationship between Merkel and Trump contrasts with the warm ties between her and former US president Barack Obama — who last week travelled to Berlin to attend a key Protestant conference.