Agency Report –
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Europe should take a confident stance toward incoming US president Donald Trump, and remain clear in defending the sovereignty of borders.
“I would also advise everyone to always keep a straight back,” Scholz said, using an expression that means to show confidence and strength.
His remarks at a political candidate forum organized by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper in Framkfurt come just hours before Trump is due to take the oath of office.
Scholz said that this was why he had also publicly stated that borders “universally” should not be touched in direct response to Trump’s demands that the US lay claim to Greenland, the Panama canal and Canada.
“I believe this is something that will remain with us in the near future, that we are clear on the issue,” Scholz said.
No quick ‘slump’ in Ukraine aid
The chancellor also reiterated at the forum that he does not expect “an immediate slump” in US aid for Ukraine, which has been battling against the ongoing Russian invasion. The US is by far the largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine.
“We will see what it will be like in the long term,” Scholz added, however.
Trump has expressed scepticism in the past about US aid for Ukraine, and also vowed to end the war there quickly after taking office. There have been concerns that he would slash aid.
Scholz said he has no problem with not being invited by Trump to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Washington, and that Germany’s ambassador to the US, Andreas Michaelis, will represent the country at the event.
“It’s quite normal for the ambassadors to represent the countries there. That will be the case for the vast majority of them,” said Scholz.
The fact that Trump invited a few particular leaders, such as Italian far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentinian libertarian President Javier Milei, is also “OK,” Scholz said.
Scholz did not wish to comment on the fact that Michaelis had issued an exceptionally clear warning of massive negative changes to US policy under Trump in a letter to the German government, which was classified as confidential but was obtained by dpa.
Scholz pointed out that this was an “internal report.”
Scholz stresses transatlantic ties
In remarks published earlier on Monday by the Rheinische Post newspaper, Scholz stressed the importance of close political co-operation and strong alliances with the United States.
“Transatlantic relations are of the utmost importance for Germany and for Europe,” he said, adding that the US played a significant role in the development of democracy in West Germany.
“And NATO is the guarantor of our security,” Scholz added. “That is why we need stable relations with the US.”
But as Trump prepares to be sworn in on Monday, Scholz also stressed Europe’s ability to act independently.
“As the European Union, we can also build on our own strength,” he said. “As a community of more than 400 million Europeans, we have economic weight.”
The chancellor said he had two phone conversations with Trump, describing them as “very friendly and good talks.”
He added that their advisors had met several times, ensuring that Germany is not starting from scratch with the incoming US administration. Scholz reaffirmed that the US remains Germany’s closest ally.
In view of the participation of European right-wing populists at Trump’s inauguration ceremony, Scholz called for challenging populists with confidence and a clear stance. “We must confront the dividers,” he said.
