Trump’s Anger at Germany Hangs Over EU Push to Ratify Trade Deal

Donald Trump’s rift with Friedrich Merz is complicating the European Union’s push to finish its US trade deal before fresh tariffs arrive.

The US president was reluctant on Thursday to delay his threatened 25% levy on European cars and trucks because he remains angry with the German chancellor over his criticism of the war in Iran, according to a person familiar with the matter.

That’s making senior European officials anxious that failing to conclude their trade deal before Trump’s new July 4 deadline may trigger a downward spiral, the person added, speaking anonymously to describe private discussions. While officials ...