German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the European Union as an “alternative to imperialism and autocracy” that can form partnerships with like-minded nations in an era of intensifying great power rivalry.
Speaking to the German parliament on Thursday, Merz reaffirmed the value of NATO, pledging that Europe would bolster its defence efforts while always seeking cooperation with the United States—but not as a “subordinate.” He also rebutted US President Donald Trump’s claim that non-US NATO troops avoided front-line combat in Afghanistan, noting that 59 German soldiers died and over 100 were wounded during the deployment.
Merz addressed foreign policy a week after Trump withdrew a threat of tariffs on Germany and seven other European nations over Greenland. He warned that a “world of great powers” is forming, bringing a “harsh wind,” but said Europe should seize opportunities to offer partnerships based on “mutual respect, trust and reliability.”
The Chancellor underlined the EU’s ability to act quickly, noting that the bloc had resisted tariff intimidation. He called for Europe to “learn the language of power politics,” taking greater security responsibility, pursuing technological independence, and boosting growth. Merz also backed trade deals with Mercosur and India.
While seeking new alliances, Merz stressed preserving existing ones, calling transatlantic trust “a value in itself.” He concluded that Europeans want a stronger NATO and will always offer cooperation to the US, but “as partners and allies and not subordinates.”
