US President Donald Trump has persistently criticized Germany’s reluctance to spend more on defense and comply with the NATO voluntary goal payment obligation of 2% of GDP.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that speaking before the lower house of parliament in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that the US will no longer defend Europe automatically and that the latter should make more efforts to defend itself.

"Europe is tied to the US, which is a superpower both in the economic and military aspect, by common values despite any differences in opinions. There are a lot of things in common, but the US won't defend Europe automatically as it did during the Cold War”, Merkel said.

The German chancellor has also touched upon the uncertainty around Brexit that is hitting the German economy. According to Merkel, there is still a chance for Britain's divorce from the European Union to take place with a deal although Berlin is ready for a no-deal withdrawal.