Merkel strikes conciliatory tone towards new US Prez

Berlin, January 21 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed on Saturday to seek compromises on issues like trade and military spending with  US President Donald Trump, adding she would work on preserving the important relationship between Europe and the US.

“He made his convictions clear in his inauguration speech,” Merkel said in remarks broadcast live, a day after Trump vowed to put ‘America first’.

Speaking at a news conference, Merkel struck a more conciliatory tone toward Trump than Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who on Friday said Germany should prepare for a rough ride under the new US president.

Relations with the US, Germany’s biggest trading partner, are likely to be a hot topic in electioneering in coming months leading to a general election in September. — Reuters