Europe's new move against Trump's tariff threat

In his speech at the Bundestag, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Europe is maintaining a unified and resolute stance against tariff threats from the U.S. Merz stated that at the European Union Summit in Brussels last week, leaders demonstrated that they would not hesitate to take countermeasures if necessary by coming together quickly.

Stating that this stance has preempted Trump's new tax plans, Merz said, "Anyone in the world who thinks about playing politics against Europe with customs tariffs now knows that we have the strength to protect ourselves against it."

Drawing attention to the long-standing value of transatlantic alliances, Merz expressed that "such important relationships should not be easily jeopardized."

Making an implicit criticism of the U.S. President's remarks regarding NATO's mission in Afghanistan, in which German soldiers also participated, Merz underscored the concept of alliance. "Over the course of nearly 20 years in Afghanistan, 59 German soldiers lost their lives. More than 100 of our soldiers were wounded in clashes and attacks. We will not allow this duty, which we fulfilled for the interests of our ally the U.S., to be belittled," he said.

Merz stated that the German government always supports the sacrifice and service of its soldiers, noting that this holds symbolic importance for freedom and global peace. Touching upon the need for Europe to be more self-confident in its own defense and security strategies, the Chancellor said, "We will feel the effects of the increasing competition between major powers more in the coming period."

Emphasizing that NATO has been the fundamental guarantee of security, peace, and freedom for both continents for over 70 years, Merz said that European leaders want to protect this alliance and even strengthen it from within.

Finally, noting that Germany is open to new international collaborations, Merz assessed, "We are ready to be part of a dynamic network of sovereign states that remain committed to a rules-based order."