• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautions that the US is increasingly disengaging from its role as guarantor of international order.
  • Merz emphasizes Germany must pursue greater self-reliance amid threats like cyber attacks and disinformation.
  • The warning reflects broader concerns over the Trump administration's "America First" shift and its 2025 National Security Strategy.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a stark warning at the CDU congress in Stuttgart on Friday, stating that the United States is losing interest in its traditional role as the anchor of global stability. Speaking to party members, Merz underscored the need for Germany to chart a more independent path in security and foreign policy, even as he reaffirmed the country's alliance with the US.

"We want to be safe, strong, and free," Merz said, according to people familiar with his remarks. He added, "Naive pacifism today promotes the wars of tomorrow," highlighting growing threats from cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns that require a robust response. The chancellor's comments come amid mounting anxiety in European capitals over the Trump administration's deliberate retreat from postwar US activism, as outlined in the 2025 National Security Strategy, which prioritizes domestic issues over global commitments in regions like Europe and Asia.

Efforts to maintain transatlantic cohesion have hit a snag, with recent tensions evident in European boos for US Vice-President JD Vance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan—a symbolic display of discontent over US unilateralism, tariffs, and disagreements on issues like Ukraine. Without a renewed US commitment, analysts warn that Germany and its allies could face increased vulnerability to geopolitical rivals. Merz's speech signals a pivot toward independent security measures, rejecting reliance on what he termed outdated pacifist approaches.

In economic terms, the US retrenchment promotes beggar-thy-neighbor mercantilism, including destructive tariffs and a focus on domestic concerns like drug traffickers in the Caribbean, which weakens global trade frameworks. This accelerates a shift toward multipolarity, with China's rise and BRICS allies challenging US economic dominance. Surveys indicate that 54% of Americans perceive waning US global influence, with younger generations particularly skeptical of American exceptionalism, according to recent data.

Allies like Germany are expressing deepening anxiety over US reliability, prompting calls for Europe to strengthen its own defenses and economic partnerships. US actions, such as the abrupt closure of USAID—which signals broader foreign aid cuts—risk alienating partners and emboldening adversaries, potentially damaging America's prestige and security posture. Domestically, these moves have sparked opposition, fueled by ongoing scandals and policy disputes, but the administration remains focused on its "America First" agenda.

Looking ahead, short-term implications include heightened European insecurity and strained alliances, while long-term risks involve a weakened global security architecture that could benefit rivals like China and Russia. Experts predict that unilateralism may falter without bipartisan support for renewed global engagement. As Merz concluded, the path forward requires Germany to balance alliance ties with greater self-reliance, a message resonating across a continent grappling with an uncertain American partner.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the location of the CDU congress; it was held in Stuttgart, not Berlin.