Chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned on Monday against seeking "simple answers" to complex global issues, a day after suggesting that Europe's relationship with the US had shifted significantly following Nato and G-7 meetings with President Donald Trump that produced disappointing results.

At an election rally on Sunday in Bavaria, Merkel stressed that "we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands".

Her foreign minister, a political rival, upped the rhetoric on Monday by declaring that with Trump's policies, "the West has become smaller."

"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," Sigmar Gabriel said.

Source: Khaleej Times