German Foreign Policy Has Finally Grown Up
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reshaping the country's foreign policy after decades of perceived passivity, aiming for a more assertive and independent role on the global stage. His approach marks a shift from Germany's historical reliance on the United States for security and diplomatic leadership. The new direction responds to a changing world order marked by U.S. retrenchment and rising challenges from Russia, China, and the Middle East.
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has marked a shift toward a more robust and autonomous foreign policy since taking office in May 2025.
- ▪Journalist Jörg Lau critiques decades of German foreign policy shortcomings in his book, arguing for greater European self-reliance.
- ▪The article highlights a 2000 encounter in North Dakota where an American questioned why U.S. soldiers were deployed to Kosovo to secure peace for Europe.
- ▪Merz's government is responding to global instability, including U.S. military actions in Iran and Venezuela, as well as pressures from Russia and China.
- ▪Germany's new foreign policy stance seeks to foster a more self-confident and courageous role for Europe in a fragmented international system.
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| Original publisher | Foreign Policy |
| Canonical URL | https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/29/germany-foreign-policy-merz-trump-grown-up/ |
| Publication time | Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:45:06 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-04-29T08:51:54.488Z |
| Last seen | 2026-04-29T08:51:54.488Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Argument An expert’s point of view on a current event. German Foreign Policy Has Finally Grown Up Friedrich Merz is, slowly but surely, putting his country on a new international footing. By John Kampfner, the author of Braver New World: The Countries Daring to Do Things Others Won’t. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's silhouette is seen with the German national flag in the background as he delivers a speech during a New Year’s reception with relatives of soldiers and police personnel serving abroad, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on January 20, 2026.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Foreign Policy.
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