German Chancellor Declares Global Order ‘Destroyed’ Amid Trump’s Policy Shifts at Munich Security Conference
At the opening of Europe’s largest annual security gathering, the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a stark assessment of the international landscape, declaring that the post-World War II rules-based order had collapsed. He directly criticized President Trump’s rapid reorientation of American foreign policy, asserting that the United States’ claim to global leadership had been “challenged, and possibly squandered.” Merz urged continued cooperation between Europe and the U.S., including through NATO, switching to English to address Americans as “friends” and warn that “even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone.” He also admonished Europe for not doing enough to bolster its own security and grow its economies independently.
Merz’s strong words echoed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s earlier declaration of a “rupture, not a transition” in the world order. Markus Söder, the prime minister of Bavaria, also opened the conference by asking the U.S. to show Europe “a little more respect,” signaling broad European unease.
Macron’s Vision for a Stronger, Independent Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after Merz, began on an optimistic note, stating, “Where some see threats, I see fortitude. A stronger Europe will be a better friend for our allies, especially the United States.” He defended Europe against criticisms regarding immigration and free speech, suggesting others should learn from Europe rather than criticize or divide it. Macron, a long-standing advocate for Europe reducing its reliance on the U.S., emphasized the pursuit of greater strategic independence. His remarks came with a “heavy measure of vindication” given recent U.S. actions, though France’s own fiscal position presented challenges to fully realizing his vision.
U.S. Delegation and Geopolitical Flashpoints
The American presence at the conference was notably diminished due to a federal funding battle, which led House Speaker Mike Johnson to cancel the official House delegation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the remaining U.S. officials, facing nervous European allies wary of another “bruising” address after Vice President JD Vance’s controversial speech last year. European officials, including EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, emphasized the necessity of the trans-Atlantic partnership, stating, “Even in the jungle, animals cooperate. You also need us, to be this superpower.”
Several critical geopolitical issues dominated discussions:
- Greenland: President Trump’s previous threats to acquire Greenland remained a sensitive topic. Secretary Rubio met with prime ministers from Denmark and Greenland to discuss an expanded U.S. presence or control of the autonomous territory. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican ally of Trump, dismissed the issue as “behind us” and that “nobody cares who owns Greenland,” but also predicted Trump would “go big” on fortifying the island for national security. White House official Jarrod Agen confirmed Trump’s interest, emphasizing Greenland’s natural resources and the potential for infrastructure development.
- Iran: Reza Pahlavi, a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition in exile, advocated for U.S. intervention to remove the Iranian government. His call came amidst fragile nuclear talks and the deployment of U.S. warships to the Persian Gulf, raising concerns about potential military action if negotiations fail.
- Ukraine: Discussions included efforts to end the war in Ukraine, which had seen little progress. Merz suggested that U.S. efforts to broker a peace accord were premature, advocating instead for exhausting Russia economically and militarily until it ceased its aggression.
- U.S. Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy: Other American speakers weighed in on the broader implications of U.S. policy. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, a potential presidential candidate, reassured Europeans that California was a “stable and reliable partner,” distinguishing his state from the “temporary nature” of the current administration. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez presented a “working-class centered politics” as an alternative to authoritarianism and aimed to deepen relationships with allies amidst Trump’s “sandbox” approach to the Western Hemisphere. Senator Chris Murphy also criticized President Trump’s transparency regarding aid in Gaza reconstruction.
The Munich Security Conference served as a critical platform for European leaders to voice their deep concerns over the erosion of traditional international norms and alliances, largely attributed to President Trump’s foreign policy, while seeking ways to navigate an increasingly uncertain global order.