“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 27 European Union member states have approved €20 million (approximately $23.3 million) in assistance for Armenia from the European Peace Faci...
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ...
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Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard li...
Kazakhstan lost around 3.8 million tonnes of oil exports following an attack on facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, stressing that it is still too early to assess the losses in monetary terms.
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard line on security amid an election period, says political analyst.
Colombian authorities on Wednesday (28 January) located a missing plane carrying 15 people in the northeast of the country, with no survivors found, an Air Force source and local media said.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of "terrorist groups", including Islamic State.
Colombian authorities on Wednesday (28 January) located a missing plane carrying 15 people in the northeast of the country, with no survivors found, an Air Force source and local media said.
Chinese authorities say they've carried out capital punishment against a group of individuals tied to notorious telecommunications fraud syndicates operating across the southern border, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party is likely to increase its number of parliamentary seats and gain a majority in the lower house, a preliminary survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed on Thursday (29 January).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 29th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
China agreed to relax rules to allow some visa-free travel for British citizens on Thursday (29 January) during a visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing. It's part of a partnership deal which Westminster hopes will help expand its service sector.
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