Donald Trump attacks Germany over 'very bad' trade deficit

Donald Trump has critcised Germany in an early-morning tweet, complaining about the trade deficit between Europe's largest economy and the US.

"We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military," Trump said.

"Very bad for U.S. This will change"

The missive comes after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday 28 May that Germany and the EU could no longer depend on the US.

Merkel, who met with Trump at a G7 summit the day before, said that Europeans "must really take our destiny into our own hands."

Speaking at a CSU campaign rally, Merkel said: "The times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out. I've experienced that in the last few days."

Germany's foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel was equally critical of Trump saying: "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.

"The West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker."