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Washington / Berlin (dpa) - Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) wants to put relations with the USA on a new footing after the low point in the era of US President Donald Trump.
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In his first major speech on transatlantic relations since new President Joe Biden took office, Maas offered the United States a "New Deal".
This should include a common struggle for democracy, more German responsibility in resolving conflicts in the European neighborhood and a common strategy towards China and Russia.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference three weeks ago, Biden shouted the central message: "America is back."
Maas now said that Germany's answer was: "Germany is by your side."
Specifically, the SPD politician committed to a further increase in German defense spending, spoke out in favor of negotiations on industry-specific trade agreements and the revival of cooperation on climate protection.
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The SPD politician spoke at an online event organized by the US research institute Brookings on the occasion of the establishment of a chair in transatlantic relations.
The idea for this research center, which is funded by Germany with two million euros, dates back to Trump's reign, when relations had deteriorated dramatically.
Trump did not treat Germany as an ally, but as an adversary, on whom he imposed punitive tariffs and threatened with sanctions.
Immediately after he was sworn in in January, Biden broke Trump's “America First” doctrine and is again relying on international alliances and treaties.
The German government has emphasized several times that it wants to make concrete offers to the USA for a new beginning in transatlantic relations.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210309-99-753063 / 2