Given Trump's threats against Greenland, Gottschalk proposed this defense measure, viewing it as an essential step toward European sovereignty.

German parliament member and AfD member Kai Gottschalk said on Sunday that his country "needs nuclear weapons."

This politician believes that the post-war consensus of entrusting European defense to the United States has "completely disappeared," especially in the context of recent transatlantic tensions due to Donald Trump's intention to "annex Greenland."

Gottschalk explained that today, "everyone should be clear that there are no friendships between nations, only interests." He further clarified: "And the interests of the United States are fundamentally different from our interests and from Europe's interests."

"The Only Way From Dependence to Sovereignty"

This German MP advocated a complete rethinking of Europe's security and defense structure, so that the region takes full responsibility for its own protection. He insisted that it is necessary to establish a "stronger army" with more efficient soldiers and "the most advanced weapons" to clearly show potential aggressors that "they cannot win."

"It will be difficult to build a common defense alliance among European countries. There are significant political differences and deep and widespread historical divisions. But this is the only way from dependence to sovereignty. Long live Europe!" he concluded.

German media reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the tariff measures promoted by the White House would ultimately affect the U.S. economy first.

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose new tariffs on several European countries amid the tense situation over Greenland, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded. He assured that Europe would "respond to these challenges in a careful and appropriate manner."

Merz warned that there is a "broad consensus within Europe" that such threats "do not help strengthen transatlantic relations but rather weaken them," and that there is also a risk of "escalation." He emphasized that such measures would first harm the U.S. economy.

"Usually, tariffs are borne by the people of the country importing the product," the chancellor explained. "In this case, American consumers will pay the tariffs, but this will certainly also harm our economy, the European economy, especially the German economy," he added.

The Arctic Rivalry Escalates to the Tariff Field

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 10% tariff on all products from eight European countries—NATO members: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland. These countries had deployed military forces to Greenland in the tense situation surrounding their ambitions to seize Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. This tariff will take effect on February 1 next year and will be increased to 25% on June 1.

The affected eight countries argued that the "Arctic Vigilance" exercise, involving only slightly more than 30 soldiers, "does not pose a threat to anyone" and condemned Washington's decision to impose tariffs. In addition, they pledged to respond in a coordinated manner.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597223417158320676/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.