US spying claims threaten free trade deal, says Merkel
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Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday allegations of widespread spying in Europe by US intelligence services threatened negotiations on a free trade deal between the United States and the European Union.
"The allegations are serious," Merkel told parliament. "They must be cleared up. And more importantly, a new sense of trust must be built for the future."
She said claims that the US's National Security Agency mounted extensive surveillance operations in Europe and Germany had "put to the test" the free trade talks, and Europe's ties with Washington.//DPA
