BERLIN — Foreign leaders often feign indifference toward changes in American governments. But during his two-day visit to Germany’s capital, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s swooning hosts did little to disguise their relief over the end of the Trump era and the rejuvenation of American ties with Germany. Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, was practically gushing at a joint appearance with his counterpart at a chic Berlin beer garden Thursday, recalling his first conversation with Mr. Blinken after he became secretary of state. “At the end of the telephone call,” he said, “I couldn’t help myself by saying, ‘Tony, I still have to get used to the fact that I can speak to the American foreign secretary and always be of the same view — because that used to be different beforehand.’”Germany, Mr. Maas said, is “very happy that the United States is now back on our side again.” Then, after explaining the global import of that shift, Mr. Maas, a tall glass of beer before him, paused.

Source: New York Times June 24, 2021 18:46 UTC