German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the Financial Times that US has slowly lost interest in Europe as other countries and regions have enjoyed surging economic growth and influence.

Merkel noted a "shift" in how the US looks at the world over the last few years.

"President Obama already spoke about the Asian century, as seen from the U.S. perspective. This also means that Europe is no longer, so to say, at the centre of world events," Merkel told.

President rump has challenged the 28-member bloc and, in particular, Germany on different occasions. He has accused Berlin of currency manipulation, of not adequately contributing to the NATO budget and has also threatened to impose tariffs on German cars.

Merkel argued that Europe "needs to take on more responsibility" to address this tense relationship with the U.S. "The United States' focus on Europe is declining - that will be the case under any president," Merkel said.