On Monday, Merz spoke at the Deutsche Börse in Eschborn outside Frankfurt am Main. Among other things, he called on Europe to become more independent of the United States and more self-reliant, especially when it comes to technology, and argued that old truths no longer apply.
Europe has recently been shaken by Donald Trump's suggestion that the US should take over Greenland. He emphasized in his speech that Europe must adapt to "a new part of the reality we are facing."
"Transatlantic relations have changed. No one in this room regrets it more than I do, but nostalgia and memories of the good old days don't help," Merz said.
