Friedrich Merz stated that Europe must speak the language of power to defend its interests in the new world system. He also advocated for greater independence from the U.S. and the expansion of global partnerships.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on European allies for unity and self-confidence so that Europe can become an independent force in the emerging new world system. Europe will only be able to defend its views if "we learn to speak the language of power politics ourselves, if we become a European power ourselves," he stated during a government statement in the Bundestag on Thursday, January 29.
According to Merz, it has become increasingly clear in recent weeks that a "world of great powers" is forming, where a "strong wind" is blowing that Europe will soon feel. "In this world, a strong wind is blowing, and we will feel it for a long time," he said, noting that the ongoing changes could also open new opportunities for Europe, acting on the basis of law and international cooperation.
According to the Chancellor, Europe represents an alternative to imperialism and autocracy. "We are a normative alternative to imperialism and autocracy in the world," he stated, emphasizing that Europe can offer partners both economic and, above all, value-based advantages that it does not wish to give up.
Security, Economy, and Unity of Europe
The Chancellor highlighted three key areas in which Europe must prove its viability. The first is security. According to him, Europe must take it into its own hands and reduce technological and defense dependencies, including from the United States, on whose nuclear protective umbrella the continent currently relies.
The second area Merz mentioned is the competitiveness of the European economy. The gap in growth rates with China and the United States is widening, and this trend needs to be reversed, he emphasized.
The third element the Chancellor named is European unity. As an example, he cited the recent conflict over the Danish-owned island of Greenland, noting that a united position from Europe led to U.S. President Donald Trump abandoning threats of tariffs against Germany and other European countries. "Unity is a factor of strength in the world," Merz said.
A New Tone in Relations with the U.S.
Merz called for leveraging Europe's increased self-awareness, while not proposing specific steps for reforming the European Union or creating its own European nuclear deterrent system, a discussion previously initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Chancellor also recalled his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he stated that "a new era has already begun." "The new world of great powers is based on strength, power, and, if necessary, violence. It is not a cozy place," he noted.
The dpa agency points out that Merz's speech in the Bundestag resembled the speech about a "turning point" given in 2022 by then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine.
New Partnerships
According to the German Chancellor, this also implies openness to new partnerships. Germany and Europe, in Merz's view, should become part of a network of sovereign states adhering to a rules-based world order, free trade, and minimal trade barriers.
In this regard, the Chancellor emphasized the importance of implementing the EU agreement with Mercosur countries, as well as concluding a trade agreement with India. He criticized the position of German deputies from the Green Party in the European Parliament, who, according to him, along with the left and the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), attempted to block the agreement with Mercosur countries, calling it "more than annoying."
