Trump's 'irresponsible war' to blame for economic slowdown, German minister says

Trump's 'irresponsible war' to blame for economic slowdown, German minister says2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleTom McArthurEPALars Klingbeil's comments risk exacerbating a row between the two Nato alliesGermany's finance minister has blamed Donald Trump's "irresponsible war in Iran" for a big drop in his country's expected tax revenues.Lars Klingbeil said the US president's actions in the region had caused a "global energy shock".German officials have slashed the projected tax revenue for 2026-2030 by around €70bn ($82bn; £60.52bn). The downgrade "shows just how much the war in Iran is harming our economy", Klingbeil said in Berlin.Last month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz infuriated Trump with his suggestion that the White House had been "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators - comments which prompted the US president to threaten to withdraw thousands of US troops from bases in Germany.Trump pauses Hormuz plan 50 hours after he announced it - what happened?'Elephant in the room' Trump looms over European attempt at unitySince coming to office a year ago, Chancellor Merz has often indicated that Trump's policies have changed the traditionally close relationship between the US and Europe.In February, for instance, Merz said "a deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States". But the German chancellor has visited the White House twice in a year in an effort to smooth the strains in trans-Atlantic ties. Alongside other European countries, Germany has been critical of the war that the US and Israel launched against Iran on 28 February, which has considerably raised fears of a global economic downturn. Germany's coalition government has been struggling to boost the economy which has been stagnant for years, with high energy costs and a weak demand for exports playing a significant role.Last month, Merz told students that "the Amer...