BERLIN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday said she expected difficult talks during the G7 summit in Canada later in the week.
Answering lawmakers in the parliament, Merkel said she would nevertheless try to "speak to U.S. President Donald Trump about the current problems that we have overall, in particular on Iran and trade tariff issues".
She said she was unsure over whether a G7 final statement would be possible.
"It turns out that we already have a serious problem here with multilateral agreements," said Merkel of U.S. action of imposing punitive tariffs upon aluminum and steel products, adding that it is important that Europeans act together and stand for fair and free trade and turn against protectionism.
She also criticized the U.S. departure from the Paris climate agreement.
Ministers from Germany, France and Britain have written to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Finance Secretary Steven Mnuchin, urging them to shield European companies operating in Iran from Washington's new sanctions.
Merkel also noted that currently there is no possibility for Russia to return to the G8 group, but said she supported talks with Russia, saying dialogue is always important.
A two-day G7 summit will start on Friday in Charlevoix in Canada's Quebec.
