Berlin – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday he would not give up on working with U.S. President Donald Trump, despite a spat between the leaders over the war in Iran.

"I am not giving up on working on the transatlantic relationship," Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview set to air Sunday night. "Nor am I giving up on working with Donald Trump."

Merz sought to downplay any tensions with Trump, arguing, for instance, that an abrupt public announcement that the U.S. would pull 5,000 troops from bases in Germany was not surprising and should not be seen as retaliation.

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