Germany's foreign minister praised Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainAnalysis: Biden victory, Democratic sweep would bring biggest boost to economy The Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE hours after the Arizona Republican’s death, calling him a “convinced advocate of a strong and reliable transatlantic partnership.”

“[McCain] was a convinced advocate of a strong and reliable transatlantic partnership, especially in difficult times,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a tweet.

“He believed in our shared values and principles,” he added.

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“We will always remember his voice.”

FM @HeikoMaas: @SenJohnMcCain was a convinced advocate of a strong and reliable transatlantic partnership, especially in difficult times. He believed in our shared values and principles. We will always remember his voice. — GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 26, 2018

The tweet comes amid tensions between Washington and its European allies over President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE’s trade policies.

Trump has fiercely defended his decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU), among others, as well as billions of dollars in duties on Chinese goods. Each nation has responded with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, prompting concerns of a global trade war.

The president announced an agreement with the head of the European Commission last month to restart negotiations over a trade deal between the EU and the U.S.

McCain, a six-term senator and former GOP presidential candidate, died Saturday at the age of 81. Although he was absent from the Senate this year, he continued to influence the debate in Washington.

In June, McCain slammed Trump’s trade policies, telling allies after the Group of Seven summit that “Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn’t.”