Spanish Deputy PM Denounces Germany as US “Vassal” Under Merz

(MENAFN) Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has accused Germany of becoming an American “vassal” under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, criticizing his response to threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump against Spain, according to reports.

Relations between Madrid and Berlin have reportedly been tense over the past week, after the German chancellor stayed silent during a visit to Washington when Trump, seated beside him in the Oval Office, threatened to halt “all trade” with Spain. Trump cited Spain’s allegedly low defense spending and refusal to allow American forces to use joint military bases for potential strikes on Iran as justification.

Merz’s stance reflects, in Diaz’s view, that he is among EU leaders “who have no idea how to manage the historic moment we’re living in.” She added, “What Europe needs today is leadership, not vassals who pay homage to Trump.”

Diaz also emphasized that EU leaders “should be expected to speak out clearly in defense of international law,” noting that the UN Charter defines what constitutes “an illegitimate war.” She argued that Germany’s approach highlights a “position of extreme weakness in economic terms” and called on the EU to reduce its “technological, financial and energetic dependence” on the United States.

Berlin, however, dismissed concerns about tensions with Madrid, stating that “the relationship is not tense at all.”

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