3rd EU Member rebels over 'absurd' sanctions: 'Can't even send non-Russian oil…'| Croatia

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is prepared for a shift in the transatlantic relationship after recent clashes with Donald Trump, stressing that Berlin still wants the United States as a partner. Merz said he has communicated this directly to Trump and noted that the new US security strategy and recent remarks by US leaders, including VP JD Vance’s criticism of EU censorship, show that Washington’s stance is evolving. Despite Trump calling the EU a “decaying” bloc, Merz said he hopes both sides continue to view each other as partners, adding earlier this week that Europe does not need Americans to “save democracy.”