This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Published on July 19, 2019, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken out against US President Donald Trump's recent racist comments targeting four progressive Democratic congresswomen.
Trump's comments, which were deemed 'racist' by the House of Representatives, sparked a domestic uproar in the US. In response, Merkel expressed her disagreement with Trump's views, stating that they go against what makes America great.
'In my view, the strength of America lies in that people from different origins contributed to what makes the country great,' Merkel said.
Trump's comments, which included telling the congresswomen to 'go back' to their countries of origin, were met with international condemnation. British Prime Minister Theresa May called the comments 'completely unacceptable,' while New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern said she 'completely and utterly' disagrees with Trump.
Merkel's criticism of Trump's comments is significant, given Germany's Nazi past and the country's strong emphasis on tolerance and diversity. The German government has traditionally spoken out forcefully in favour of these values.
While Merkel has maintained a formal and firm relationship with Trump, her comments suggest that she is willing to speak out against his divisive rhetoric.
