Trump's Policies Increase Risk of Financial Crisis: Merz

According to Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Socialist Union, U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies are increasing the risk of a new global financial crisis. This was reported by TASS.

"I have always said that the next financial crisis will definitely come. We just do not know when and for what reasons. President Trump's policies are increasing the risk that the next financial crisis will come sooner than expected. We, Europeans, need to provide a convincing response to this," said Merz.

He emphasized that he wants to coordinate a united position with European partners before traveling to the U.S. for a meeting with the president. In his view, the European Union must present a united front, demonstrate its functionality, and at the same time assure Washington of its interest in maintaining strong relations with the United States.

Moreover, he added that Trump is partially correct in criticizing the EU, particularly regarding low defense spending. "We have traveled too long without paying — at the expense of Americans," noted the candidate for Chancellor of Germany.