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DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced cautious optimism on Tuesday on the potential for German-U.S. relations under President Donald Trump, citing good first talks with his administration, but stressed the importance of “cool heads” in the face of uncertainty.
“The United States is our closest ally outside Europe. And I will do everything in my power to ensure that it stays that way,” Scholz said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“My first good conversations with President Trump and also the contacts between our advisers point in this direction,” he added.
Speaking on the first full day of Trump’s new term in office, Scholz said cooperation between Europe and the United States was key for peace and security worldwide as well as economic progress.
However, the German chancellor added that Europe must become more self-reliant.
Germany’s ambassador to Washington has warned internally of turbulent relations under Trump while German companies have sounded the alarm over threatened tariffs under the new U.S. administration.
“In a world that is constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown when viewed through the prism of social media, cool heads are needed,” Scholz said.
“Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should immediately plunge us into agitated, existential debates.”
Nonetheless, Scholz expects Trump to keep the world on its toes over the coming years, particularly in the areas of energy and climate policy, trade and foreign policy.