Germany's far-right AfD divided over Trump tariff policies

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is divided on US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies.

The party's co-leader Tino Chrupalla told the Bild tabloid on Tuesday that Trump's move to slap blanket tariffs of 10% on all imports, with further duties for the EU and many countries, was "understandable."

The comments came days after his fellow co-leader Alice Weidel - the AfD's top candidate in February's parliamentary election - called the policy "poison for free trade" and demanded action by EU leaders to prevent the tariffs.

Chrupalla said the party supports free trade in principle.

"But sometimes you have the restrict free trade to protect your economy," he said. "President Trump wants to force other countries to negotiate; He wants to improve the US trade balance and stimulate industry."

"That is understandable," he added.

The AfD, which reached second place in February's election, is ideologically close to Trump's Republican Party.

Chrupalla travelled to Washington for Trump's inauguration, while Weidel has received open support from White House adviser Elon Musk and met US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February.

Germany's export-based economy is set to be particularly hard hit by the Trump tariffs, with a 20% duty on all imports from the EU due to take effect on Wednesday amid efforts from EU leaders to negotiate a deal.