02.05.2026 17:49
German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil lashed out at US President Donald Trump's accusations against Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Berlin. Referring to US policy on Iran, Klingbeil said, 'We don't need Trump's advice. He should look at the rubble he has caused,' adding that they do not want to be dependent on Trump's daily moods.
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil responded to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his country at an event held in Bergkamen on May 1, Labor and Solidarity Day.
"HE SHOULD LOOK AT THE RUBBLE HE HAS CREATED" Klingbeil said, "We really don't need Donald Trump's advice. He should look at the rubble he has created. Let him now ensure serious peace negotiations are conducted with Iran."
Criticizing Trump over the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran, Klingbeil assessed, "I think (Trump) thought this would really be a 2-3 day matter and then everything would be fine."
Lars Klingbeil "I DON'T WANT US TO BE DEPENDENT ON TRUMP'S MOOD" Klingbeil emphasized that Trump is "obligated to end the war in Iran" and stated that this war burdens workers, consumers, and the economy.
Noting that Europe must be economically strong to avoid being blackmailed by anyone, Klingbeil said, "I don't want us to be dependent on what kind of mood Donald Trump is in today or tomorrow."
WHAT HAPPENED? On April 27, Merz, meeting with students at a school in Germany, stated in his speech that he did not believe the U.S. could quickly end the war in Iran. Merz said, "Because the Iranians are much stronger than previously thought, and the Americans do not have a truly convincing strategy in negotiations." Arguing that the Americans entered this war in Iran without any plans, making it even harder to end the conflict now, Merz assessed, "An entire nation (the U.S.) is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership."
In response to Merz's statements, Trump said on his social media account, "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz thinks it's okay for Iran to have nuclear weapons. He doesn't know what he is talking about." Trump also stated that he is considering the possibility of reducing the number of U.S. military troops stationed in Germany.