German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has pushed back against elements of a new US national security strategy put forward by the White House.
Wadephul said Berlin did not need external lectures on freedom of expression or the organization of democratic societies.
The US document outlines US President Donald Trump's "America First" worldview.
It signals a shift away from Washington's traditional global role toward increased focus on Latin America and migration and includes sharp criticism of long-standing allies in Europe.
The paper said the US would support actors and political parties that oppose EU-led policy positions, including on immigration.
Speaking in Berlin alongside Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Wadephul said such matters are governed by Germany's constitutional order, citing the separation of powers and press freedom.
Wadephul said the United States was and would remain "our most important ally in the [NATO] alliance. This alliance, however, is focused on addressing security policy issues."
The minister said questions of freedom of expression or the organisation of free societies were not part of the alliance's remit when it came to Germany.
"We see ourselves as being able to discuss and debate these matters entirely on our own in the future, and do not need outside advice," Wadephul said. However, he did say he would now "analyze the new US security strategy in detail."
Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesman of Germany's ruling conservative CDU/CSU alliance was also critical of the US strategy.
Posted by John3262005
1 Comment
not exactly surprised germany would push back here.. the whole “america first” thing doesn’t really work if you’re also trying to tell other democratic countries how to run their own governments.