German chancellor postpones Trump phone call after AfD praise

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s planned phone call with US President Donald Trump has been postponed, a German government spokesman said Wednesday, without giving a reason.

“The chancellor’s schedule had included a telephone call with President Trump for today; however, the German side has postponed this call,” government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told a press conference in Berlin.

“A new date has not yet been set,” he said, declining to comment on the reason.

The announcement came amid rising strain between Washington and Berlin.

The Trump administration has publicly criticized Germany’s migration policy and voiced support for the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which won Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt.

On Tuesday, Trump praised that result on his Truth Social platform.

“Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night,” he wrote.

“They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly. THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore! MGGA!!!” he added, using an abbreviation for “Make Germany Great Again.”