German media reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Europe to free itself from dependence on the United States this Friday, and should not "underestimate themselves." He pointed out that Washington is moving away from a rules-based international order and turning to policies based purely on power and national interests.
At a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) campaign event in Hedschheim, the senior official said that although the United States 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 should not act like ostriches by burying our heads in the sand, nor try to survive in the middle of a conflict," Merz asserted. "This approach does not work," he added, emphasizing that Germany must learn to defend its own interests in order to earn respect.
The background to Merz's call comes amid increasingly tense relations with the Trump administration in the United States. He accused the U.S. side of moving away from the principles of international law and multilateral cooperation. "We are witnessing our most important ally in the world - which is still the United States - moving away from a rules-based order," he lamented. At the same time, he expressed growing despair about being able to exert any influence on this American leader. "What is the point of criticism if the target of criticism does not respond, but instead believes that what they are doing is correct?" he asked rhetorically.
In this context, he believes that only a more confident Europe with "common language" partners can maintain Washington's respect and deal with external and economic challenges facing the European continent. "To do this, it must be possible to argue from a position of strength," he emphasized, pointing out that the economy should focus more on competitiveness.
Americans are also paying attention to Germany. "But when we underestimate ourselves and retreat, they will not value us. Only when we have European allies who speak the same language as us will they respect us," Merz said. For this, it must be possible to argue from a position of strength; he called for economic policy to focus more on enhancing competitiveness.
Merz said that within Germany, people must relearn to work more and for longer periods. The industrial base must be maintained, otherwise the current problems cannot be solved. We are fighting for the future of the country in many aspects, whether in foreign policy or domestic affairs. "We believe we have the ability to solve these problems because the key to solving them lies in our own hands," he said.
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg does not rule out the possibility of the United States leaving NATO.
In an interview published this Friday, Stoltenberg was asked about his memoirs, which were released in Europe last autumn. In the book, he described a strategy of not provoking then-US President Donald Trump in order to keep him "on our side." In this context, the interviewer asked whether this argument would still be valid during Trump's potential second term, given that the Trump administration had "publicly threatened its NATO allies and announced plans to 'incite resistance' in Europe."
In response, this former NATO chief said that Europe must deal with the United States, but the way should be to show that they have differences with Washington. "Another message is: I cannot guarantee that the United States will remain in NATO. No one can guarantee that. But I am convinced that we should do everything possible to **reduce the risk of the United States leaving and be fully prepared for it," Stoltenberg said.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7596186274994651702/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.