German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a news conference that the Germany “can’t rely on the superpower of the United States. And the auto tariffs are “a real threat to the prosperity of many in the world”. Also, the “usual framework” of the world is “under strong pressure at the moment” before of the US. Though, she maintain that “transatlantic working relationship, including with the U.S. president, is crucial for us and I will carry on cultivating it”.
For the EU, Merkel said it’s in a “transformation process”. And, “it recognizes the seriousness of the situation, but it hasn’t yet been resolved whether we are going to rise to the challenges quickly enough.” She pointed to the “big economic challenge, and one day certainly also military, from the strengthening of China”. And, the EU must also deal with the relationship with Russia.
