Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that under the leadership of Donald Trump the United States is no longer a reliable ally that can guarantee Europe’s security, Politico reports.
Merz’s warning comes on the heels of his center-right Christian Democratic Union winning Germany’s national election.
“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” Merz said. “I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television program. But after Donald Trump’s statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”
Merz even went as far as to liken the U.S. leadership to Russia.
“I have absolutely no illusions about what is happening from America,” Merz said during a televised debate on Sunday night.
“Just look at the recent interventions in the German election campaign by Mr. Elon Musk — that is a unique event,” he continued. “The interventions from Washington were no less dramatic and drastic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we have seen from Moscow. We are under such massive pressure from two sides that my absolute priority now really is to create unity in Europe.”
Musk has repeatedly championed Germany’s far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany of AFD party ahead of the election. Vice-President JD Vance also met with the leader of the AFD while he was in Munich earlier this month for a security conference.
