Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a stern warning to the United States on Wednesday, urging the Trump administration to refrain from meddling in German domestic affairs and to “stay out” of partisan debates.
In a televised interview with ZDF, Merz made his position clear: “I would like to embolden and encourage the American government to let domestic politics in Germany be domestic politics.”
He emphasized that he never took sides in American election campaigns and expects the same respect in return.
Merz, who is due to have his first call with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, said he plans to speak “openly” despite not knowing Trump personally.
He went further, accusing the US government of pushing “absurd views of the Federal Republic of Germany,” referencing growing concern in Berlin about apparent American political backing for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
“I’ve always had the impression that America can distinguish between extremist parties and parties of the political center,” Merz noted, pointing to recent U.S. government behavior and a controversial interview between Trump ally Elon Musk and AfD leader Alice Weidel.
The German chancellor’s remarks come just days after the White House criticized Berlin’s move to officially classify the AfD as a right-wing extremist party — a decision that has sparked debate across Europe.
The diplomatic strain marks a growing fissure between Germany’s centrist leadership and factions within the current U.S. government openly engaging with populist European parties.
