Merkel: 'We can't rely on the superpower of the US'

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Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she was right to say a year ago that Europe could no longer rely on the United States to impose order on the world, and that it needed to take matters close to home into its own hands.

"We can't rely on the superpower of the United States," Merkel told a news conference in Berlin.

When asked about her working relationship with Trump, Merkel responded: "One can say that the values, or our usual framework, are under strong pressure at the moment."

US President Donald Trump meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

However, Merkel conceded that the transatlantic working relationship, including with the US president, is crucial and said she will carry on cultivating it.

Last week, US President Donald Trump accused Berlin of being a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance.

At Friday's press conference, Merkel also welcomed Trump's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Washington this autumn.

"I think it should become normal again for Russian and American presidents to meet," Merkel said.

Source(s): Reuters