US President Donald Trump has previously sharply criticized Germany during his meeting with NATO Secretary General jens Stoltenberg in US Embassy in Brussels, claiming it was “inappropriate” for Germany to conduct energy trades with Russia, then adding that “Germany is utterly controlled” by Russia.
Earlier, Trump has demanded Germany to drop the Nord Stream 2 project in favour of a trade deal with Washington, which would include low tariffs on aluminum and steel.
The US repeatedly urged European countries to refuse to participate in the Nord Stream 2, threatening to impose sanctions on European energy companies involved in the project. According to Washington, Nord Stream 2 violates the energy security of the EU and also disserves the interests of Ukraine.
Previously, Trump also offered to use American liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative to energy imports from other suppliers.