 "Germany’s likely next chancellor says EU must not be ‘dwarf’ in Washington, urges European leaders to muscle up")
Friedrich Merz, the leading candidate for Germany’s next chancellor, has said that Europe must be united in foreign, security and trade policy and that the EU cannot afford to be weak in its interactions with Washington.
According to a Politico report, at a campaign event in his home region of Hochsauerland, western Germany, Merz urged Brussels to prioritise strategic issues rather than micromanaging the daily lives of citizens.
“The EU must not come to Washington as a dwarf — because then it will be treated as one,” Politico quoted Merz as saying, urging European leaders to muscle up.
Merz voiced his concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, set to take effect on March 4, which has heightened tensions between the US and its trading partners.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a fellow member of Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union like Merz, criticised the decision as “unjustified” and promised that the EU would take “firm and proportionate countermeasures” to safeguard its economic interests.
According to Politico’s Poll of Polls, the CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), maintain a strong lead ahead of the February 23 election, positioning Merz for a likely chancellorship amid Trump’s unpredictable leadership.
The tariffs represent a significant escalation of Trump’s protectionist trade policies, effectively nullifying previous agreements with the EU, the UK, Japan, and other allies.
Trump justified the move as “the beginning of making America rich again.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn response, EU trade ministers have initiated emergency discussions, exploring potential retaliatory measures against American industries.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
