Merkel-Trump Heated Dispute over Nord Stream 2 Leaked Out

A heated debate took place between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel over disagreements on the Nord Stream 2, the situation with NATO and relations with China, Politico reported May 29. With reference to a senior U.S. official, the publication notes that a dispute erupted during a phone conversation in May. As a result, Merkel refused to participate in person in the G-7 summit in the United States. “In a call between Trump and Merkel this week, the two leaders had heated disagreements on topics including NATO, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, and relations with China,” the article said. Official Berlin and the White House did not confirm this data. On May 20, Trump announced his plans to convene the G-7 summit in person at his presidential retreat in Camp David in Washington State as an example of a return to normality from the global coronavirus crisis. On May 27, Merkel said at a briefing that relations with the United States are not developing as well as she would like, and there are many contradictions. At the same time, she emphasized that the security of Europe is impossible without NATO, and Washington is a key ally of Europeans. The US is actively opposed to the construction of Nord Stream 2, it already imposed sanctions on the project in December and threatens to expand restrictions. Berlin criticizes this approach of the American administration, pointing out that the gas pipeline is extremely important for Europe. In addition, in recent months, the White House has advocated punishing China, which is supposedly responsible for the spread of coronavirus.