German Leader Calls for US-Europe Trust 'Repair' in Trump Era

The message from Germany's likely next chancellor to Donald Trump's second administration was straightforward: "The US and Europe must repair trust."

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), recently emphasized that both sides of the Atlantic need to "repair trust" at this critical juncture. With German federal elections set for February 23, this statement offers crucial insight into Germany's future foreign policy direction.

Why 'Trust Repair' Now?

Merz's call stems from hard-learned lessons from Trump's first term. Back then, Trump publicly pressured European allies, including Germany, to increase defense spending and clashed openly with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. Germany's dependence on Russian natural gas and its NATO contribution levels became flashpoints in bilateral relations.

But the landscape has shifted dramatically. Since the Ukraine war, Germany has boosted defense spending to 2% of GDP and completely severed its energy dependence on Russia. Merz appears to believe these changes create space for a reset in transatlantic relations.

The China Conundrum

Yet Germany faces a complex balancing act that extends beyond NATO obligations. German industry remains deeply intertwined with China—companies like Volkswagen, BMW, and Siemens count China among their largest markets. If Trump's second administration maintains a hardline China policy, Germany may find itself caught between economic interests and security commitments.

This tension reflects a broader challenge facing middle powers worldwide: how to maintain profitable relationships with authoritarian regimes while honoring democratic alliances. For Germany, the stakes are particularly high given its export-dependent economy and central role in European Union decision-making.

Strategic Autonomy vs Atlantic Alliance

Merz's positioning also signals an attempt to balance Europe's push for "strategic autonomy" with traditional Atlantic partnership. French President Emmanuel Macron has championed European strategic independence, arguing the continent must reduce its reliance on American military protection.

The Ukraine conflict, however, demonstrated both the value and limitations of this approach. While European nations have shown they can coordinate sanctions and provide substantial aid, American military capabilities remain irreplaceable for European security. Germany's response to this reality will likely define European defense policy for years to come.

Beyond Burden-Sharing

What makes Merz's approach potentially significant is its departure from traditional burden-sharing debates. Rather than simply promising to meet NATO spending targets, he's framing the relationship in terms of mutual trust and shared responsibility. This suggests a more mature partnership model—one where European allies aren't just junior partners but genuine stakeholders in global security.

The question remains whether Trump's transactional approach to international relations can accommodate such partnership dynamics. His first term suggested a preference for bilateral deals over multilateral frameworks, which could complicate Germany's EU-focused approach to foreign policy.

The answer may determine not just German-American relations, but the entire architecture of Western alliance in the decades ahead.