Trump Meets With German Chancellor; Praises Some EU Nations and Criticizes Others

President Donald Trump hosted a meeting Tuesday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussing the situation in Iran and the Middle East.

Praise For Merz: Trump praised Merz for his support during the conflict, saying "he has been helping us out…been very nice actually." Merz said that Germany has not been directly involved in the conflict but added that "We are on the same page in terms of getting this terrible regime in Iran away." While not being involved militarily, Germany has helped the US by providing logistical support as a US hub.

Some Haven't Been Helpful: Trump said that "Spain has been terrible" and added that he instructed US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent "to cut off all dealings with Spain." Trump said the issues with Spain started with their refusal to increase NATO defense spending to five percent. Spain has also refused to allow the US to use their bases for Iranian attacks. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, while criticizing the Iranian regime has pushed back on the conflict, and on Trump's threats to halt trade with the nation. "We are not going to be accomplices in something that is bad for the world, and that is also contrary to our values and interests, simply out of fear for somebody's reprisals," Sanchez said Wednesday.

European Commission: Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said commitments made under a federal trade deal last year are expected to be honored, and the commission stands ready to act to safeguard EU interests. It is unclear how trade restrictions could be applied to a single member of the EU without affecting all 27 nations in the bloc.

"Not Winston Churchill": "The UK has been very, very uncooperative with that stupid island they have" Trump said, referring to the joint US-UK airbase called Diego Garcia. The UK initially refused to allow the US to utilize the base in the current Iran operation, but on Sunday, Prime Minister of the UK Keir Starmer walked back the decision, saying it is the "best way to eliminate the urgent threat and prevent the situation spiralling further." Trump said of Starmer, "He ruins relationships. We are very surprised. This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with."

Starmer and Trump: Outlets like Time Magazine (Lean Left bias) focused on "the once seemingly robust relationship" between the US and the UK, saying that amid the widening war in Iran the relationship is "fracturing." Others, like the UK-based Daily Mail (Lean Right) framed the situation around an "embarrassed Keir Starmer" waiting to send any type of protection for UK bases caught in the conflict in the Middle East until after "being stung into action by the French." The Daily Mail suggested that the UK has been forced to rely on allies for the defense of UK bases on the island of Cyprus, and has only decided to send Royal Navy warships after "being humiliated into acting by the French."   

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