The German Chancellor criticizes the American strategy. “We need to become more independent”
Merz told a news conference in Mainz that the U.S. national security strategy “it did not surprise him in terms of its content“.
— What we read last week corresponds, more or less, to what the vice president (US JD Vance) said back in February at the Munich Security Conference, Merz noted.
In the opinion of the German Chancellor, “some elements of the strategy are understandable, but some, from the European point of view, are unacceptable to us.”
— I see no need for Americans to save democracy in Europe now. If we really had to save her, we would have managed on our own Merz emphasized.
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What elements of the US strategy are unacceptable to Europe?
What does the German Chancellor say about the need for European independence?
What US policy priorities towards Europe are listed in the new security strategy?
What concerns does the new US security strategy cause in Germany?
The head of the German government added that the new US strategy “confirms his belief that in Europe, and thus in Germany, we must become much more independent from the US in matters relating to security policy.”
— I say in conversations with Americans: “America First” is fine, but “America Alone” is not in your interest. You need partners around the world. And one of the partners may be Europe. And if you cannot cooperate with Europe, at least make Germany your partner. I try to convey that,” Merz said.
The United States has a new security strategy
In the part of the new US security strategy devoted to Europe, it is written that the main priority of policy towards the Old Continent should include: “restoring conditions of stability in Europe and strategic stability (in relations) with Russia“, European states taking primary responsibility for their own defense“lack of domination by any hostile power“, “improving” the continent's current political course and “ending the perception of NATO as an ever-expanding alliance“The document expressed the belief that the actions of the European Union undermine political and civil freedoms as well as the sovereignty of states.
The document criticizes, among others, European countries' approach to Russia's war with Ukraine.
The sharp criticism of Europe and the announcement of American political interference on the continent, included in the new US security strategy, are causing serious concerns in Germany. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the German counterintelligence, appealed to the authorities in Berlin to expand their powers in order to become independent from the Americans. On Monday, a German government spokesman rejected Europe's criticism contained in the new American security strategy.
