German vice chancellor: Don't declare Trump the winner prematurely

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, due to visit the US on Wednesday, has called for caution when making predictions about the outcome of the country's presidential election.

"We shouldn't make the mistake of declaring Trump a premature winner or even subscribing to this idea," Habeck said with regard to former US president Donald Trump, who won more than a dozen Republican primary contests on Tuesday, cementing his expected third bid for the presidency.

The US side says the election campaign has not even really started yet, said the vice chancellor, who is also Germany's economy minister.

"We also know from the German election campaigns what can still happen," Habeck said at Berlin's international airport on Wednesday before departing on a multi-day trip to the United States.

However, it was absolutely clear to him that Europe had to do its "own homework," he said, adding that Europe must become resilient in a completely changed world situation - both in terms of economic security and military capabilities. This applies regardless of the outcome of the election in the US, he said.

Habeck plans to meet business representatives and politicians on his trip to Washington, New York and Chicago.It is the Green politician's third trip to the United States as economy minister.

When asked whether he would also be meeting representatives from the Trump side, he said: "I am focusing on the talks with the US government and the German economy and companies that I meet there, and I am staying out of the US election campaign."

Habeck is accompanied on his trip by the two German astronauts Alexander Gerst and Matthias Maurer. "The Americans have launched a major lunar programme, the Artemis programme. Germany is the strongest supporter of this programme," he said.

"It is German technology that provides the vital requirements for supplying the astronauts."

Habeck sis to campaign for German astronauts to be able to fly to the moon as a European partner.

However, during his trip, he is mainly expected to focus on climate and energy policy issues.

His ministry said the trip is focussed on economic, energy and climate policy issues, particularly in light of current geopolitical crises.

The aim is to strengthen economic relations with the US in the long term and to promote cooperation when it comes to technology.

Environmental Action Germany, a non-profit, called on Habeck to agree to limit liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the US to what is absolutely necessary and to stop the construction of import terminals in Germany.

Germany has been sourcing more than 80% of its total liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US. But a recent decision by the Biden administration has raised some uncertainty about future deliveries.

The US government announced in January that it was putting pending authorizations for the export of liquefied natural gas on hold. The White House said that it would analyse the impact of exports on energy costs, US energy security and the environment.

Habeck's trip to the US is set to last until Saturday.