Europe

Trump’s Anger at Germany Hangs Over EU Push to Ratify Trade Deal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 3.
Photographer: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

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By Andrea Palasciano and Jorge Valero

May 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM UTC

Donald Trump’s rift with Friedrich Merz is complicating the European Union’s push to finish its US trade deal before fresh tariffs arrive.

The US president was reluctant on Thursday to delay his threatened 25% levy on European cars and trucks because he remains angry with the German chancellor over his criticism of the war in Iran, according to a person familiar with the matter.