Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Bundestag that Europe must learn the “language of power politics” as great-power rivalry intensifies. He argued the continent should take greater responsibility for its own security, reduce technological and defence dependencies, and boost competitiveness. Citing the Greenland dispute with Donald Trump, Mr Merz said European unity had forced Washington to back down from tariff threats. While affirming the value of the transatlantic alliance, he rejected political subservience to the United States and criticised Trump’s remarks on Afghanistan.
In his speech, the Chancellor also criticized Trump’s statements that the US had never needed NATO troops in Afghanistan. “We will not allow this mission, which we undertook also in the interest of our ally, the United States of America, to be held in contempt and denigrated today,” he said. Established alliances should not be jeopardized lightly, Merz added.
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Bundestag that Europe must learn the “language of power politics” as great-power rivalry intensifies. He argued the continent should take greater responsibility for its own security, reduce technological and defence dependencies, and boost competitiveness. Citing the Greenland dispute with Donald Trump, Mr Merz said European unity had forced Washington to back down from tariff threats. While affirming the value of the transatlantic alliance, he rejected political subservience to the United States and criticised Trump’s remarks on Afghanistan.
In his speech, the Chancellor also criticized Trump’s statements that the US had never needed NATO troops in Afghanistan. “We will not allow this mission, which we undertook also in the interest of our ally, the United States of America, to be held in contempt and denigrated today,” he said. Established alliances should not be jeopardized lightly, Merz added.
Wake up call 5374, thank you Friedrich.