BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday downplayed the impact of remarks he made about Brazil that drew sharp criticism from officials there, and the German leader's spokesperson said he hadn't denigrated the South American country.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Belem's mayor, the governor of Para state and several lawmakers pushed back against comments Merz made last week following a Nov. 7 visit to Belem, the Brazilian city that is hosting this year's U.N. climate summit. Merz appeared to be trying to put into perspective complaints about the current situation in prosperous Germany, whose economy is struggling to generate growth, in a speech to a trade conference in Berlin.
“We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Last week I asked some journalists who were with me in Brazil: Which of you would like to stay here? No one raised their hand,” Merz said. “They were all happy that, above all, we returned from this place to Germany in the night from Friday to Saturday.”
Merz met Lula in Belem and will see him again at the Group of 20 summit in South Africa this weekend. “I expect that we will have another good meeting in South Africa, completely unencumbered” by the flap, he told reporters at a news conference in Berlin with his Swedish counterpart.
“I said that Germany is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and President Lula will probably also accept that,” he added, without directly addressing a question as to whether he regretted his remarks.
Earlier Wednesday, Merz spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said that “it is far from the chancellor to comment in a derogatory way about Brazil.”
Kornelius said at a regular government news conference that Merz's impression of his trip had been “very positive” and “there is no doubt that Brazil is our most important partner geostrategically and economically in South America."
The disputed remark “essentially concerned the wish of the delegation to return home after a very tiring night flight and a long day in Belem,” he said. “When the chancellor says that we live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, that doesn't mean other countries aren't also very beautiful.”
Asked whether Merz would apologize and whether he saw any damage to relations, Kornelius replied: “No, twice.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišić added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. It was his 10th Bundesliga hat trick according to the league.
“It's been a while, it's nice to get another one," Kane said after being voted man of the match. “Big three points. We keep going.”
Kane has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Munich's Harry Kane, left, celebrates with his teammate Luis Diaz, right, after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, right, pushes team mate Nathan Tella besides Augsburg's Kristijan Jakic during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in Augsburg, Germany, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Leverkusen's Patrik Schick misses to score during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in Augsburg, Germany, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Munich's Michael Olise, right, and Stuttgart's Maximilian Mittelstaedt, left, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
