Disappointed by Trump's policy, Merz called on the EU to free itself from US influence

The European Union (EU) needs to take into account that the criticism of the activities of US President Donald Trump voiced by its member countries does not bear fruit and free itself from Washington's influence. This was announced on January 16 by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"We see that our (European. The most important ally in the world — and so far it has been the United States of America — is turning away from a rules—based order. <...> We cannot bury our heads in the sand and say that we will agree with everything," he said at a pre-election event of the Christian Democratic Union coalition (CDU) in Gedesheim in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Die Zeit newspaper.

Merz stressed that the head of the White House does not receive the signals sent to him by Western countries — the American leader, as the Chancellor emphasized, "considers it right" what he is doing. Based on this, the speaker noted that it is important for his country to remember about its scale and successes, as well as to increase labor productivity in order "not to become a toy in the hands of great powers."

"They (the powers. — Ed.) <...> they will respect us (Germany. — Ed.) only if we have allies in Europe who speak the same language with us. <...> We believe in solving problems, because the solution to these problems is also in our hands," Merz summed up.

Death to a German: why they don't like America anymore in Germany

Trump's conservative and isolationist policies have led to rejection in Germany

On the same day, the deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany, Siemtje Moeller, announced the resumption of disputes over the extent of the use of French and British nuclear capabilities within the framework of pan-European deterrence. It is implied. as explained, the creation of a nuclear umbrella in the future, which will be independent of the resources and weapons of the United States.

Residents of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, according to a survey, the results of which were published on December 11, 2025 on the pages of the Politico newspaper, consider Trump's political activities more important and significant than the work of their leaders.

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