Germany’s Merz says EU needs united response to Trump

“As long as the European member states are united, they will be respected in the world, including the US. And as long as they are divided, nobody will take us serious,” Merz told a conference of centre-right European party leaders in Berlin.

“So this is, in my view, the last call for action,” the head of Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) told his counterparts in the European People’s Party (EPP), under which mainstream conservative parties are grouped in the European Parliament.

Trump’s inauguration on Monday “will speed up our efforts to bring our power together and to act together,” Merz said.

Europe’s complicated defence procurement

The incoming US president will also influence the debate on defence spending, Merz said, emphasizing the need for more combined efforts.

However, he suggested that before discussing joint European initiatives and their financing, Europe should look at simplifying standards and procurement volumes.

“Military procurement in Europe is too expensive and too complicated. It is also too diverse in terms of systems,” Merz said.

EPP leader Manfred Weber, of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, said that the experiences of recent years have shown “that we Europeans are wise enough to tackle the challenges.”

He expressed optimism in dealing with Trump, adding: “He holds a mirror up to us.”