Germany’s Merz says US must not cast doubt on trade deal with EU

The foundations for the ratification of a trade deal between the EU and U.S. are in place as long as Washington honours its commitments, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.

After U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew new tariff threats on imports from the EU and appeared to strike a deal with NATO over Greenland, the foundations were laid for the 2025 deal to be implemented, said Merz.

"However, the U.S. must not be allowed to cast doubt that it will stand by its commitments from last summer," the chancellor said at a press conference with his Romanian counterpart.

Adding that a final agreement on aluminium and steel still had to be reached, Merz said the U.S. should have an interest in ensuring that the agreements were not undermined by daily announcements that the U.S. may want to do things differently.

"We are not prepared to accept a deterioration of this agreement," said Merz, adding that he was keen for the EU to quickly ratify a trade deal with India struck on Tuesday.