German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is seen as the frontrunner to become the country’s next chancellor, said that Donald Trump‘s second term will provide more clarity for the European Union.
Merz made the comments during a meeting in Berlin with key conservative EU figures, including Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, reports Reuters.
While Merz views Trump’s predictability as beneficial for European planning, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has recently expressed concerns about Trump’s foreign policy.
Scholz has specifically raised alarms over Trump’s rhetoric on border integrity, particularly his remarks about neighboring countries like Canada and Greenland. Scholz stressed that the inviolability of borders is a core principle of Western values and warned that no smaller country should fear its larger neighbors.
Merz, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of European unity, particularly in relation to the U.S, Reuters adds.
He argued that Europe must present a united front to be respected globally and to strengthen its position within the Western alliance.
With Trump’s inauguration imminent, Merz suggested that his hawkish policies could present opportunities for Europe, especially in terms of joint military procurement.
As Germany’s conservative opposition leader, Merz is poised to succeed Scholz after the collapse of Scholz’s coalition government over economic disagreements.
Merz believes that Trump’s second term could accelerate efforts to bring European power together, allowing Europe to act more cohesively on the global stage.
The contrasting views between Merz and Scholz highlight the complex challenges European leaders face as they navigate a changing transatlantic relationship under a returning Trump administration.
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