Merz Says Europe Must Emancipate Itself from the U.S.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe this Friday to emancipate itself from the United States and not "make itself smaller than it is," warning that Washington is moving away from a rules-based international order and turning towards a purely power- and national interest-based policy, according to local media.

During a CDU electoral event in Heddesheim, the high-ranking official stated that although the U.S. remains "Europe's most important ally," Europeans must prepare for a different transatlantic relationship and learn to defend their own interests from a position of strength.

"We must not hide our heads, like the ostrich, nor try to survive in a niche," asserted Merz. "That approach will not work," he added, emphasizing that to be respected, Germany must learn to defend its interests.

The chancellor framed this call within a context of growing tensions with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he reproaches for distancing itself from the principles of international law and multilateral cooperation. "We are witnessing how our most important ally in the world, and that still is the United States, is moving away from a rules-based order," he lamented. He also expressed his growing hopelessness about being able to exert any influence on the U.S. leader. "What is the use of criticizing if the recipient does not react, but believes what he is doing is correct?" he pondered.

In this context, he argued that only a more self-assured Europe, with partners who "speak the same language," will be able to maintain Washington's respect and face the external and economic challenges confronting the continent. "To achieve this, one must be able to argue from a position of strength," he emphasized, stressing that the economy must focus more on competitiveness.