“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.
Speaking to the German parliament, Merz called for a stronger NATO role within Europe while stressing continued cooperation with the United States. He said Europe would no longer be intimidated by tariff threats, following a recent standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland.
“In recent weeks, we have been able to experience something of the joy of self-respect,” Merz said, adding that rules-based action and rules-based trade were not dead. “More and more countries around the world are recognising that the current global reorganisation also presents an opportunity for those who prefer rules to arbitrariness.”
Merz’s remarks come a week after tensions with Washington peaked over Greenland, raising fears of a rupture within NATO, the alliance that has underpinned Western security since the end of World War Two.
Trump had previously floated the threat of using tariffs in the dispute before backing away.
The German leader said the European Union had shown unity in resisting economic pressure. “Last week, we demonstrated that we in the EU can act swiftly when necessary. We were united in our determination not to be intimidated by tariff threats again,” he said.
His comments echoed those of French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently warned Europe would not yield to “bullies,” and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has called for greater European strategic independence.
Merz also pointed to EU trade agreements with South American bloc Mercosur and with India as evidence of Europe pushing ahead with free and fair trade, while urging the bloc to accelerate reforms and reduce excessive regulation.
In a separate dispute following the Greenland row, Merz pushed back against Trump’s remarks suggesting European forces avoided frontline combat in Afghanistan.
“Fifty-nine German soldiers lost their lives during the almost 20-year deployment in Afghanistan,” Merz said. “We will not allow this deployment to be denigrated or belittled.”
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are m...
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his governmen...
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
Iraq has returned restricted airspace across the western part of the country to civilian authorities, ending limits imposed for military operations against Islamic State since 2016, the Transport Ministry said.
Denmark and Greenland have moved to reassure the public that their sovereignty will remain intact under a new security agreement with the United States.
World leaders are set to gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York for several days of high-level debate, with Iran, Ukraine, artificial intelligence (AI) and a range of global crises expected to dominate discussions this week.
Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his U.S. tour, apologising for decisions made after rapper Macklemore was removed from the line-up over his public support for Palestine.
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