German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has acknowledged a profound shift in transatlantic relations, saying Europe must now take greater responsibility for its own political and technological future.
“Transatlantic relations have changed, and no one in this room says that with more regret than I do,” Merz said, speaking in remarks shared via social media.
The German leader, long regarded as a strong Atlanticist, stressed that the change was not a matter of choice but of necessity.
Merz said Europe could no longer afford deep dependence on external partners, particularly in critical areas such as technology, defence, and strategic decision-making. While reaffirming Germany’s historical ties with the United States, he argued that Europe must be capable of acting independently when circumstances demand it.
His comments come as European leaders reassess their relationship with Washington amid shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities, growing trade frictions, and uncertainty over long-term security commitments. These concerns have intensified debates within the European Union over “strategic autonomy.”
Merz’s remarks signal a notable change in tone from Berlin, which has traditionally placed the transatlantic alliance at the centre of its foreign policy. Rather than calling for a rupture, however, the chancellor framed Europe’s push for independence as a way to strengthen resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.