Scholz congratulates Trump on inauguration

Berlin (dpa) – Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has congratulated the new US President Donald Trump on his inauguration. “For many years, Germany and the United States have been close partners and friends. Together, we can provide crucial momentum on both sides of the Atlantic for freedom, peace and security, as well as prosperity and economic development,” the chancellor wrote. At Trump’s swearing-in ceremony in Washington, Germany was represented by its ambassador to the USA, Andreas Michaelis. Scholz also stated that the US was Germany’s closest ally and that the aim of Germany’s policy was always a good transatlantic relationship. In this context, Scholz also emphasised Europe’s role in the world: “The EU, with 27 members and more than 400 million people, is a strong union.”