The German chancellor has clearly announced,

On January 29, German Chancellor Merkel delivered a foreign policy statement at the Bundestag, emphasizing that Europe must demonstrate confidence through independent and autonomous security, stronger competitiveness, and unity, and clearly declared that Germany and the United States are equal partners rather than subordinate relationships. It is evident that Merkel's remarks reveal that Europe is moving away from its nostalgic sentiments towards the United States.

 

 

On January 29, the air in the Berlin Bundestag was filled with an unusual sense of determination. When Merkel stood on the podium and spoke into the microphone, saying "equal partners, not subordinates," it not only shook the ears of the lawmakers present but also sent a tremor throughout the entire European political arena.

This was not just a routine diplomatic euphemism; it was a thorough reckoning on "identity certification." Merkel did not even try to spare the feelings of his old friends across the Atlantic. He told everyone with an almost cruel honesty: the warm and nostalgic "US-EU honeymoon period" that people had been used to for decades has completely ended.

This is not because Merkel's temper has worsened, but because Germany's books are really messy. Let us shift our focus from the podium to the battered financial statements. Not long ago, the US Inflation Reduction Act acted like a giant vacuum cleaner, taking away 80 billion euros in industrial investment from Europe without any resistance.

Even more alarming was the data from August last year: Germany's exports to the US dropped by 20.1%. What does this mean? It means that the profits of Germany's industrial heartlands, such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, were directly halved. The former allies now hold tariff batons and high energy bills in their hands, standing at the forefront of grabbing meals.

Facing this kind of attitude of "draining allies," who can sit still? Merkel clearly knows that continuing to talk about emotions would be self-destruction. The United States, which once provided unconditional umbrella protection, is now busy with strategic withdrawal. In Trump's calculation, maintaining global hegemony has long been a "losing business."

Therefore, this time Merkel didn't pretend anymore, but he also didn't lose his mind to do a suicidal "comprehensive decoupling." People who understand know that truly separating from the US for defense would require military spending to account for 10% of GDP or even building a nuclear force. This is simply impossible in the short term.

Thus, we saw Merkel's clever and practical card: on one hand, he soothingly called for "strengthening NATO," while on the other hand, he was vigorously building up his own strength. Germany has already poured 100 billion euros into a special fund to purchase F-35 fighter jets.

But this isn't enough. His goal is to push the scale to the extreme. By 2029, military spending should reach 162 billion euros, accounting for 3.5% of GDP. This is not just for parades, but to actually create the strongest conventional army in Europe.

The EU has also followed suit. A 1 billion euro defense fund has been allocated for 2026, and a strict rule has been set: the proportion of non-EU components is strictly limited to below 35%. The intention is obvious: since the US is unreliable, they want to take control of the supply chain's lifeline themselves, and don't expect to have their throats squeezed again by technological blockades.

But where will this huge military budget come from? Can it rely on that bureaucratic system that requires dozens of approvals to build a factory? Obviously not. So Merkel turned his eyes toward the upcoming February EU summit.

This time, he brought along 19 countries including Italy, preparing to carry out a "major瘦身" of the administrative system. They promoted a new principle called "implied consent": if regulatory agencies don't speak within the specified time, it's considered approved. They also plan to establish an "emergency brake" mechanism specifically for dealing with excessive regulatory provisions.

This move is essentially "using economic development to promote defense." Only by removing these bureaucratic shackles that bind companies tightly and letting the economic engine roar again can Germany afford to pay the expensive bill for strategic autonomy.

The current situation is clear. There is no longer tender protection money, only cold-hearted interest exchanges. Europe is not without cards. That 93 billion euro tariff retaliation list against the US, as well as the anti-coercion tools, have already been placed in the most prominent position on the negotiation table.

Merkel's statement today actually tore up the old playbook of "US calling the shots, Europe paying the price." From this moment on, the relationship between the Atlantic sides is no longer about seeking pity and protection, but a hard-core game based on strength and muscle. Germany doesn't want to be a follower anymore; it wants to sit down and negotiate business like an adult.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855708549561344/

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