German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe has rediscovered a sense of confidence and self respect in defending a rules based international order, as global power dynamics continue to shift. Speaking before lawmakers in Berlin, Merz described a world increasingly shaped rivalry among major powers and warned that Europe must be prepared for prolonged uncertainty. He said recent geopolitical tensions have demonstrated that rules based trade and cooperation remain viable, despite growing pressure from unilateral actions and economic intimidation. According to Merz, European countries are increasingly aware that global reorganisation also presents opportunities for nations that value predictability over arbitrary decision making. He argued that free and fair trade continues to offer greater long term benefits than policies driven solely national self interest. His remarks reflected a broader effort European leaders to project unity and resilience amid rising geopolitical competition.
Merz also addressed Europe’s relationship with the United States, calling for a stronger European role within NATO while maintaining cooperation with Washington. He said Europe would no longer be intimidated tariff threats following recent tensions sparked statements from United States President Donald Trump. Those tensions escalated after Trump raised the possibility of using economic pressure against Denmark over Greenland, prompting strong reactions across the European Union. Merz said the episode demonstrated Europe’s ability to respond swiftly and collectively when faced with external pressure. He noted that the European Union has shown renewed determination to protect its economic interests and strategic autonomy. Merz highlighted recent trade agreements with partners such as the Mercosur bloc and India as evidence that Europe is actively shaping its global economic role while continuing efforts to streamline regulation and accelerate internal reforms.
In his address, the German leader also pushed back against remarks questioning Europe’s military contributions in Afghanistan. Merz said Germany would not allow its role in the nearly two decade long mission to be dismissed or undermined. He reminded lawmakers that dozens of German soldiers lost their lives during the deployment and many more were wounded in combat and attacks. According to Merz, such sacrifices underscore Europe’s commitment to collective security and international responsibility. His comments echoed similar statements made other Western leaders in recent weeks, including calls for greater European independence and cooperation among democratic middle powers. Together, these messages signal a shift toward a more assertive European stance on global affairs, combining defence of international rules with readiness to protect shared political and economic interests.
