MUNICH\/BERLIN \u2014 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Europe to strengthen itself and reset its relationship with the United States, calling on Washington to \u201crepair and revive trust\u201d as global politics enters what he described as a more dangerous era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opening the Munich Security Conference on Feb 13, Merz warned that the old international order is breaking down. He argued that neither side of the Atlantic can afford a lasting rift, even as Europe seeks a more independent path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merz said the rules-based order, while imperfect, no longer exists in the form many leaders assumed would endure after the Cold War. The remark set a bleak tone for a gathering focused on security at a time of rising great power competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also stressed that the United States \u201ccannot go it alone\u201d in this new environment. However, he paired that with a demand that Europe do more to protect itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merz called for Europe to beef up its defences and signalled that sensitive discussions are under way with France on nuclear deterrence. The reference was closely watched, given growing European debate about strategic autonomy and the credibility of existing security guarantees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, he framed NATO as a shared advantage. In a switch to English near the end of his speech, he argued the alliance benefits Washington as much as it benefits Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merz\u2019s core appeal was political as much as military. He called for transatlantic trust to be rebuilt, reflecting broader concern in Europe about the stability of the relationship with Washington after a year of turbulence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speech captured a balancing act. Europe wants to show it can shoulder more responsibility, while still keeping the United States engaged in the continent\u2019s security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said the relationship faces a \u201cdefining moment\u201d in a fast-changing world. Yet his language was noticeably more conciliatory than remarks delivered at last year\u2019s conference by Vice-President J.D. Vance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That contrast mattered in Munich. European officials have been looking for signs that Washington wants to steady the partnership, even as disagreements persist on burden-sharing, trade and the direction of the global order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Merz\u2019s message was blunt, but also practical. Europe, he argued, must build strength at home while keeping NATO central. And the United States, he said, should choose cooperation over suspicion as both sides confront a more unstable world together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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MUNICH\/BERLIN \u2014 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Europe to strengthen itself and reset its relationship with the United States, calling on Washington to \u201crepair and revive trust\u201d as global politics enters what he described as a more dangerous era. Opening the Munich Security Conference on Feb 13, Merz warned that the old international order […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\n