On April 29, German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that the "reckless war" launched by Trump against Iran, coupled with a global energy price shock, has halved Germany's economic growth, bringing its momentum to a standstill. He emphasized: "This is not our war, yet we are suffering massive repercussions."

Since the outbreak of the conflict, mainstream German media and economic reports have generally attributed the economic downturn to the "Trump-Iran war." Klingbeil’s remarks are not merely personal opinion but serve as an affirmation of an already established official conclusion and widespread public sentiment.

They also reflect the increasingly tense relationship between Europe and the United States: just one day before Klingbeil spoke (April 28), Trump fired back at German Chancellor Merz’s criticism of U.S. Iran policy. On social media, Trump dismissed Merz as someone who “has no idea what he’s talking about” and mocked Germany’s economy as “so bad.” This reveals deep-seated divisions within the transatlantic alliance over major geopolitical strategies, transforming previously simmering tensions into open confrontation.

Klingbeil’s statement is a carefully crafted strategy aimed at attributing Germany’s most severe economic downturn since World War II to external geopolitical shocks. By portraying Germany as an unwilling victim of America’s “reckless war,” the federal government can unify political will internally and gain public understanding for its fiscal decisions.

It is an undeniable fact that Germany is currently facing its worst economic recession since World War II. And indeed, the war initiated by the United States against Iran has exacerbated Germany’s downturn.

Yet, despite this dire economic situation, Germany remains the European country providing the highest cumulative amount of aid to Ukraine—covering military, financial, and humanitarian support.

If we consider military assistance alone, Germany is also first in Europe. All figures below cover the period from February 24, 2022, to December 31, 2025, based on data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) and official German government statistics.

One: Total German Aid to Ukraine (Official Figures)

- Military Aid: €55 billion (delivered + pledged)

- Civilian / Financial / Humanitarian Aid: €39 billion

- Total: €94 billion (approximately $102 billion)

These aid efforts clearly represent a paradox of peace.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863829052833792/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.