German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said it would be a “clear contradiction” of trust with the United States if it’s true a German intelligence employee spied for the U.S.
“If the allegations are true, it would be for me a clear contradiction as to what I consider to be trusting cooperation between agencies and partners,” Merkel said at a news conference in Beijing with the Chinese premier, according to The Associated Press.
{mosads}German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said if the allegations are true, it could lead to changes in his government’s “daily routine” with the U.S.
Der Spiegel magazine and the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung last week reported that a 31-year-old man who had worked for Germany’s intelligence services was arrested because of the spying allegations.
German prosecutors say the man, who hasn’t been identified, is suspected of handing over 218 documents to the U.S. between 2012 and 2014.
On Friday, Germany summoned the U.S. ambassador to discuss the reports.
The heightened tensions come after Merkel learned last fall that the U.S. had monitored her communications. At the time, the White House assured Germany it was not tapping into her communications and wouldn’t in the future.