“Friedrich Merz, candidate for the post of German chancellor from the opposition bloc CDU/CSU, sees Donald Trump’s presidency as an opportunity for Europe. In his opinion, Trump does what he says and that makes him predictable.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Friedrich Merz, candidate for the post of German chancellor from the opposition bloc CDU/CSU, sees Donald Trump’s presidency as an opportunity for Europe. In his opinion, Trump does what he says and that makes him predictable.
Source: “European truth” with reference to Welt
Direct speech: “I think Donald Trump is very predictable.”
“He does what he says. In that respect, I think we can prepare for much more clarity in the coming weeks and months,” Mertz said on Saturday after a meeting with heads of government and party leaders of conservative European parties. European family People’s Party
At the moment, he assesses the situation as such that Trump is accelerating a process in Europe that should have started in any case. “In that respect, it’s also an opportunity for us to do the right thing,” Mertz said, referring to increasing Europeans’ readiness for self-defense.
This means not just more money for weapons, but much more efficient use of them. Simplification and rationalization of military development and procurement of defense goods are necessary, the EPP statement says. Mertz also mentioned economies of scale and price reductions if EU governments, for example, jointly purchase weapons from the US.
“There is no reason to look at Washington with fear,” Mertz said.
What happened before:
- The newly elected US President Donald Trump previously confirmed that he considers it necessary for NATO members, including European ones, to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
- On January 13, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected Trump’s demands that Germany and other NATO allies increase defense spending to at least 5% of GDP.