German Chancellor Merz Calls on Europe to Create its Own Security Strategy to Bolster NATO
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on his European allies to become real players in global politics with their own united security policy strategy in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
“Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union is we commit ourselves to provide mutual assistance in case of an armed attack in Europe,” Merz said. “So, we need to spell out now how we want to organize this at the European level—not to replace NATO but as a self-sustained, strong pillar within the alliance.”
Merz’s remarks were reflective of his mindset that the post-World War II international order based on rules and rights no longer exists. Instead, he believes we are entering an era that is marked by power and big power politics operating in the open. Russia is engaging in violent revisionism with its assault on Ukraine, China is looking to shape the world order by systemically using the dependencies of others, and the United States’ long claim that it leads the world order is being challenged as it takes an increasingly isolationist posture.
“Dependencies and deferences, natural resources, technologies, and supply chains are becoming bargaining tools in the zero-sum game of the major powers,” Merz said.
The challenge before Europe now is to accept this new reality and to use its strength to weather the storm, preserve freedom, and seize new opportunities. Merz added that Germany itself has been slow to do this—that its foreign policy approach of the last few decades had criticized violations of international order but was not worried enough and lacked the means to address problems as they emerged.
He cited remarks from Radek Sikorski, now Poland’s deputy prime minister, who said he feared “German power less than I am beginning to fear German inactivity,” who 15 years ago spoke about a European response to crisis he found lacking.
“The most important thing is to turn the switch in our minds now,” Merz said. “We have understood that in the era of big powers, our freedom is no longer a given. It is at stake. We will need to show firmness and determination to assert this freedom. This will require our willingness to engage in new beginnings in change and, yes, also make sacrifices—not just someday but right now.”
What does that engagement look like to Merz?
First, a willingness to lead on partnerships to build a strong Europe. Merz said Germany, looking at its history, has learned the lesson of attempting to go it alone. Instead, it is now focused on using 5 percent of its GDP on security that will bolster the German defense industry while also aiding Ukraine’s war effort and beefing up NATO’s eastern flank.
“At the same time, we are making our society and our economy more resilient,” Merz added. “We have initiated new legislation to make our grids and critical infrastructure resilient to hybrid attacks. We are forging resilient supply chains and reducing unilateral dependencies on raw materials, key technologies, and key products.”
Second, Merz said that Germany is working to strengthen Europe to focus on what is essential: preserving and enhancing freedom, security, and competitiveness. This effort includes reassessing European bureaucracy and regulations to allow Europe to remain competitive and innovative.
“European standards must not put us in chains. Because of our competitiveness, they need to highlight our strengths,” Merz said. “They need to fuel innovation and entrepreneurship, encourage investment, and reward creativity. Europe must not just withdraw to avoid risks. It needs to open up new opportunities and unleash a new sense of agency.”
Third, Merz wants to forge a new partnership with the United States that reflects the fact that Europe and the United States are stronger when they work together.
“For three generations, trust amongst allies, partners, and friends has made NATO the strongest alliance of all time,” Merz said. “Europe knows deeply how precious this is. In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone.”
This does not mean, however, that Europe should continue its “excessive dependency” on the United States. Instead, Merz said allies need to establish a strong, self-sustained European pillar within the NATO alliance.
“This approach is absolutely right. It is right if the United States further alienates itself. It is right as long as we cannot guarantee our security by ourselves, and it is also right in order to forge a healthier transatlantic partnership,” Merz said.
He added that he has felt the spirit of this united European strength in the ongoing talks about Greenland following U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that the United States requires the Danish territory for its own national security. Merz said European allies have come forward to show their strong support of Denmark, a member of the NATO alliance.
“We share the fundamental interest in a political order in which we can rely on agreements made in which we are able to solve global problems together and in which we first—and foremost—resolve conflicts peacefully together,” Merz added. “We share the experience that the international law and international organizations serve our sovereignty, our independence, and particularly our freedom.
“We Germans know, a world in which might makes right would be a dark place,” Merz continued. “Our country has gone down this path in the 20th century until the bitter and dreadful end. Today, we embark on a different—a better path.”
The Munich Security Conference is an annual gathering of 450 senior global leaders who meet to discuss international policy, including NATO’s future, regional conflicts, and geopolitical strategy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the U.S. delegation to the conference and is expected to speak on Saturday morning. China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will follow Rubio’s appearance.
