Many believe that American sports, culture and values flow in their veins
The 2020 US elections interest Germans
The relationship between Germany and the United States worsened after the arrival of Trump.
From the source
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Many believe that American sports, culture and values flow through the veins of Germans, which is why many of them, including leaders, are watching enthusiastically and closely the upcoming US presidential election.
"We are like spectators, we have no influence, but in the end it affects us," said Christoph, the midfielder at a football club.
On a tour through the small market on Kennedy Platz in Berlin, we were able to get a glimpse of how closely Germany and America are, and how deep the roots of the transatlantic relationship are.
An impressive stone edifice looms on the horizon, where the late US president, John F. Kennedy, spoke German for nearly 60 years, addressing a crowd of Germans, "I am Berlin."
Otti, who was a child at the time, explains why there is less enthusiasm among Germans today for US President Donald Trump: “For my generation - born after World War II - Americans were a great example of freedom and democracy, but that ended with the arrival of Trump.”
Negative outlook
President Trump - who once claimed to be the charm of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel - remains very unpopular in Germany, as a recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that Germany rates the President of the United States, in particular, negatively.
For her part, Merkel never cares about President Trump's style or policy, and was openly horrified by his bullying stance towards NATO member states, his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, and his rejection of the Iranian nuclear agreement.
The lack of personal chemistry between the two leaders was in stark contrast to the relationship Merkel had developed with former president, Barack Obama.
It is no secret in Berlin that the government has struggled to reach the same level of cooperation with the Trump administration.
But Merkel is not expected to deal with the White House in the coming period, as Germany is looking forward to important elections, and another candidate may succeed her.
Norbert Rutgen, head of the German Foreign Affairs Committee, and a possible candidate to succeed Merkel, Norbert Rutgen, says: “Trump's four years in the White House mean that everything has come into question, including the continuity of NATO and the unpredictability of US foreign policy. A turmoil not seen since World War II ».
Harm to the transatlantic relationship
And like many in Berlin, he feared another term for Trump could lead to irreversible damage to the transatlantic relationship.
And he says, "We are concerned. I am completely convinced that the prospect of another four years for Trump will not only mean that we will see more of the same thing, but I am absolutely sure that we will see an acceleration in everything we have gone through." Under pressure to be re-elected, it will be unrestricted. ”
Many in Berlin were surprised to find that a head of state, long considered by the Germans to be a military ally and trading partner, is targeting Germany in particular with such violent and persistent criticism.
Trump clashed with Germany over defense spending (Germany increases spending but is still below the 2% GDP target agreed with "NATO"), and argued with her about its trade surplus with his country, and the construction of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which It will double the amount of Russian gas entering Europe through Germany.
But President Trump's decision to reduce the number of US forces stationed in Germany may have had the most impact on the deteriorating relations between the two countries.
Trump clashed with Germany over defense spending and argued with her about its trade surplus with his country, and the construction of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
President Trump - who once claimed to be the charm of Chancellor Angela Merkel - is still not very popular in Germany, as a recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that Germany evaluates America's president, in particular, negatively.
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