In his speech, the German politician issued a warning about the growing tensions that are redefining the global balance. “Europe has just returned from a vacation from history,” he stated, describing a period marked by rivalry between great powers and by the “violent revisionism” of Russia in Ukraine. He has also pointed out that China aspires to lead the configuration of the new world order and that it uses economic dependencies for its own benefit. In that context, he noted that the United States’ claim to global leadership “has been questioned and possibly lost.”
Merz has also revealed that he has held talks with the French president, Emmanuel Macronon the possible creation of a joint European nuclear deterrent force, although he insisted that it would not be “to the detriment of I TAKE”but as a stronger and more self-sufficient European pillar within the alliance. In general, his speech has articulated a double criticism: of Washington, for distancing itself from the transatlantic alliance, and of Europe, for not having made sufficient progress in its strategic autonomy.
The objective of this summit is, as the organizer recalled, Wolfgang Ischingerrecover trust between both sides of the Atlantic, damaged since Trump began his second term. It was in the same Bavarian forum where, a year ago, US Vice President JD Vance advanced what would later become the new transatlantic relationship.
In his speech, Vance said that it was not Russian missiles, but the European allies themselves who were destroying themselves with immigration and the veto of the far right. That was just the beginning. Then came the tariffs, the friendly negotiations with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine and threats to seize Greenland from Denmark.
The disintegration of the friendship that has united the Western world since the Second World War is already evident and European leaders do not seem confident that ties can be restored. This was stated at the beginning of this week in the traditional previous report published by Conference specialists, in which the United States is accused of “demolishing” the international order and leaving “a world in ruins.”
Ischinger repeated it during his welcome speech, in which, after giving a warm welcome to the large American delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he issued a warning to Europe: “The transatlantic partnership needs a stronger Europe, but Europe will only stand if the European nations remain more united than in the past.”
Subsequently, the president of the Conference defiantly addressed the United States: “Does the Trump Administration really believe that it needs allies and partners? And, if so—that is what we hope—is Washington really prepared to treat allies as partners?”
The German government aims to take a leading role in European defense. Proof of this is the lifting of the constitutional debt brake to allow increases in its Defense budget. And not just any increase.