German foreign minister heads to Washington to extend hand of friendship to Trump
German foreign minister heads to Washington to extend hand of friendship to Trump government
German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel, left, will visit Washington to 'offer friendship and trust'
Sigmar Gabriel, Germany's foreign minister, will meet new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to “offer friendship and trust”.
Mr Gabriel's trip today follows criticism by Chancellor Angela Merkel of President Donald Trump's restrictions on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries. It also comes amid concern in Berlin about the new administration's intentions on trade.
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The German minister will meet with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Mr Gabriel, who is also Germany's vice chancellor, is also expected to meet Vice President Mike Pence. He stressed the United States' longstanding status as his country's closest ally outside Europe.
Mr Gabriel said that "the friendship between two nations is far more than thriving cooperation between governments, but without good and trusting relations between both governments it can't go well."