Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has expressed agreement with American criticism that Europe needs to contribute more towards its own defence and security. Acknowledging past lapses, Merz stated, ‘We are aware that we have not been doing enough and have been relying too heavily on others. We have been requested to up our game, and that’s exactly what we’re doing now.’ The Chancellor recently visited the UK to strengthen defence relations with Germany in a significant bilateral friendship treaty, which addresses not only defence concerns but also irregular migration and youth exchange programs.
Chancellor Merz’s term so far has been significantly influenced by Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the threat of escalated tariffs on European Union exports by the US President Donald Trump. Starting from August 1st, Trump threatens to impose a 30% import tariff. Merz stated, ‘I believe President Trump and we are on the same wavelength. We are striving to conclude this war.’
The Chancellor and the US President are in regular touch, conferring once a week to coordinate their approach. The main issues on their agenda are the Ukrainian conflict and the ongoing trade debates involving tariffs. Merz demonstrated his support for Ukraine during his campaign and paid a visit to Kyiv before leading Germany’s center-right Christian Democrats to emerge victoriously in the February elections.
In the initial days of May, shortly after being officially sworn in, Merz travelled to Kyiv as a demonstration of solidarity with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of Great Britain and President Emmanuel Macron of France. Merz articulated the major threat Europe perceives currently, ‘The looming threat we perceive is predominantly from Russia. It isn’t merely Ukraine that’s under threat, it extends also to our peace, our liberty, and Europe’s political dispensation,’ he cautioned.
Mulling over these statements, Merz indicated that the Government ‘must react accordingly to these challenges’. In his conversations with Vance, he understood that the situation demanded immediate attention and action. He noted that the message had been delivered in a ‘very transparent manner’ and received aptly.
Before officially taking up his duties as the Chancellor, Merz had maneuvered a change in German constitution which paved the way for drastic augmentation in defence expenditure. He stated that the new modus operandi for German defence is to do everything necessary. ‘Our military is not as formidable as it should be, and that is why we are allocating significant resources,’ Merz mentioned.
A major European alliance, referred to as the E3, is being developed by the UK, Germany, and France. This alliance, as Merz outlined, isn’t merely about security and foreign policy but also encompasses economic growth. It has brought Merz ‘close to Keir Starmer’ and the French president as well.
The French President, Macron, is scheduled to meet with Merz in Berlin next week. Macron had previously signed an extensive treaty with Germany in Aachen in 2019. Last week, he consented to a profound defence agreement in his state visit to the UK. This, coupled with the UK-German friendship treaty, forms a triumvirate of bilateral agreements. According to Merz, the treaty reaffirms their commitment to mutual defence, as stipulated in the NATO treaty and previously, when the UK was a part of the EU.
Additionally, a missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles) is being developed. The Chancellor later affirmed in a press conference that Ukraine would soon be receiving significant additional ‘long-range fire’ support. Merz, aged 69, sees much potential in the transatlantic alliance due to his deep understanding of the US attributed to his tenure at an American investment firm.
On his election victory night, Merz did remark that the Trump Administration was ‘largely oblivious to the concerns of Europe’, which was perceived as undiplomatic at that time. When asked about his current stance, he stated it remains the same, as Trump wasn’t ‘as explicit or committed as the former US presidents and their administrations.’
Merz viewed the ongoing shift of American interest from Europe to Asia and underscored the need for Europe’s increased independence in its defence. Recently, EU trade negotiator Maroš Šef?ovi? visited Washington in pursuit of an agreement to prevent a prospective surge in US import taxes affecting all 27 member states. Chancellor Merz finds the high tariffs quite untenable and believes they hamper Germany’s export industry.
‘The current US President is cognizant of these challenges and appears inclined towards compromise. He understands the situation,’ Merz said. Evidently, Berlin is ready to alter its laws to penalize those using Germany to hoard small boats intended for illegal Channel crossings.
The chancellor vowed to ‘undertake immediate action’ in this regard. The necessary structural changes are anticipated to sail smoothly through the parliament post the summer recess. A missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles) is in the development phase and during a follow-up press conference, the Chancellor stated that Ukraine would soon be bolstered with substantial support in ‘long-range fire’.
Talks are also in progress to establish a direct rail link between London and Berlin. Moreover, there are plans to facilitate student exchange programs between the UK and Germany, which have seen a decline post-Brexit. Merz voiced his hopes that the initial beneficiaries of the friendship treaty would be the students, empowering the younger generation to steer the future relations between the two nations.