Story highlights Merkel's speech sparks worldwide reaction

German Foreign Minister criticizes Trump

(CNN) Germany's foreign minister launched a scathing criticism of Donald Trump on Monday, claiming the US President's actions have "weakened" the West and accusing the US government of standing "against the interests of the European Union."

Just 24 hours after German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Europe could no longer completely rely on traditional allies such as the US and Britain, the country's top diplomat, Sigmar Gabriel, went a step further.

"Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk," Gabriel said.

Gabriel (L) said the Trump administration stood against EU interests.

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union. The West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker."

Germany and other European nations were unimpressed with Trump's performance at both the NATO and G7 summits last week, where he refused to endorse NATO's collective defense principle or the Paris climate agreement.

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