German Chancellor calls for a thorough reform of the Euro-American alliance: "We do not believe in tariffs and protectionism, only in free trade," media comment, "Trust is at its peak."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a more equal transatlantic partnership at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, based on shared interests rather than values that are no longer shared. Media commentaries say this marks a new height of estrangement and mistrust in US-Europe relations after more than a year into Trump's second term.

On February 14, according to Xinhua News Agency, Merz "sent a message" to the US in his speech on February 13: The US does not have the capacity to go it alone, Europe has realized it needs to quickly shake off excessive dependence on the US. He stated clearly: "The cultural wars of the MAGA movement are not ours. We do not believe in tariffs and protectionism, only in free trade."

This speech comes as US-Europe relations have hit their lowest point in decades. Since Trump started his second term, the US has imposed high import tariffs on the EU and countries in the region, and has used the withdrawal of security guarantees as a diplomatic bargaining chip, leading to a sharp decline in mutual trust.

According to media reports, in response, Merz confirmed that he has held preliminary discussions with French President Macron on establishing a European nuclear deterrent to supplement the existing US nuclear umbrella, showing that Berlin is seeking alternatives for national security and economic sovereignty.

Analysts point out that this statement is a delayed response to US Vice President JD Vance's speech a year ago at the same conference. Vance said Europe had departed from Western values like free speech and suggested the US might no longer protect European countries that excluded far-right parties from governments.

Transatlantic Relations Lose Their 'Taken-for-Granted' Foundation

Reports say Merz pointed out in his speech that it is time to reshape the transatlantic partnership as a more transactional alliance, with Europe and the US as equal partners holding their own value systems.

"The transatlantic partnership has lost its taken-for-granted foundation, first in America, then in Europe, possibly even in this conference room."

Top Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby attended the conference and echoed this view:

"We will have differences of opinion and perspective ... but the conclusion is not 'hey, let's drop out,' but let's build the partnership on a more lasting, durable, and real foundation. Such as shared interests."

Since Trump took office, US-Europe relations have faced multiple pressures. The Trump administration imposed high import tariffs on EU and other regional countries' goods and threatened last month to annex Greenland, a territory of Denmark.

According to Xinhua, Merz emphasized in his speech that Germany firmly supports free trade, climate agreements, and the World Health Organization, saying "only unity and cooperation can address global challenges." He also said:

"Freedom of speech here has its limits. When speech is used to attack human dignity and the constitution, it ends."

Despite his sharp words, as a long-term transatlanticist, Merz stressed that he does not wish to break off relations that still serve US interests.

Reportedly, German government officials revealed that Merz met with US Secretary of State Rubio after his speech to discuss a possible new round of military aid to Ukraine, describing the meeting atmosphere as "very positive and mutually understanding." The US State Department spokesperson also stated that both sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening the US-Germany partnership.

European Nuclear Deterrence Talks: Questioning the US Security Commitment

As a vivid example of tensions within the Western alliance, Merz made a high-profile reiteration of negotiations with France on establishing a European nuclear deterrent. Analysts note this move exposes Europe's deep doubts about the US fulfilling NATO Article Five commitments.

Merz first disclosed late last month the existence of negotiations on joining France or the UK's nuclear umbrella, but he emphasized these talks were still at an early stage and aimed to supplement rather than replace the US nuclear umbrella.

Currently, Germany does not have its own nuclear weapons and, in terms of security, relies far more on the US than nuclear-armed France or the UK. The US deploys a large number of tactical nuclear weapons in Germany and stations a third of its troops based in Europe there, including the Ramstein Air Base which oversees operations in the Middle East and Africa.

Media previously reported that negotiations between France and Germany aim to replicate the existing "nuclear sharing" arrangement, under which German pilots can deploy nuclear weapons when authorized. However, the plan faces a series of technical and political obstacles, and whether it can be practically implemented remains uncertain.

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