Germany’s Merz says Europe wants a strong NATO despite transatlantic differences

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday Europe wanted to work to keep the NATO alliance functioning, despite differences with the United States that the Iran war has exposed.

Tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and European NATO partners have raised questions about the future of NATO.

Already high after U.S. criticism of Europe over defence spending and issues like immigration policy, the tensions have increased after Germany and other European countries refused to support the U.S. and “Israeli” war against Iran that began at the end of February.

“We are really willing to keep this alliance alive for the future,” Merz said at a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He also said Sweden and Finland had strengthened the European pillar of the alliance.

“We know that there are some differences. We know that we are seeing challenges, all of us, but our final goal is to bring this conflict to an end,” Merz said.