British News Agency

Merz described the MSC’s slogan “under destruction” as somewhat “gloomy” and declared that “this [world] order no longer exists,” adding that “we must put it even more bluntly.”

“Europe has just returned from a vacation from history,” he said.

He also stated that China “wants to be a leader in shaping the world,” but “systematically exploits the dependencies of others and redefines the international order to its own advantage.”

He emphasized that the United States’ claim to global leadership is “being questioned and possibly lost.”

He noted that “great power politics” are “a reflection of restless, turbulent societies in times of revolutionary change.”

Merz said that the U.S. has now realized the need to “catch up with China in certain areas,” which “has not slowed this trend, but rather accelerated it.” The Chancellor stressed that Europeans must accept the reality they face and confront it by standing by their values rather than denying the problem.