Why is Trump always critical of Germany?

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump claimed Germany is a captive to Russian gas supplies during the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels last week. Beijing News commented on Monday:

Why does Germany always have to suffer Trump's barbs? It is the price that Germany needs to pay for being the "big brother" in Europe.

Germany's diplomatic policies is generally the result of it balancing the two forces of economic globalization and European integration.