World’s rules-based order ‘no longer exists’, Germany’s Merz warns

World’s Rules-Based Order ‘No Longer Exists,’ Germany’s Merz Warns

At the annual Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a sharp warning: the rules-based world order has effectively vanished. During his address to global leaders, Merz highlighted the fragility of European freedoms in an age of shifting power dynamics, asserting that nations must be prepared to make difficult concessions. He also noted the emergence of a significant rift between Europe and the United States, a divide he described as deepening.

“Our freedom is not guaranteed,” Merz said. “Europeans must be ready to make sacrifices in this new era of big power politics.”

The conference took place amid heightened tensions, fueled by US President Donald Trump’s claims of intent to annex Greenland and his imposition of tariffs on European imports. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was present during Merz’s remarks and will speak later, previously outlined the need for a ‘new era in geopolitics.’ He emphasized that the evolving global landscape requires all nations to reassess their roles and strategies.

This year’s summit will feature around 50 world leaders, with discussions centered on European defense and the future of the transatlantic alliance. The event comes as doubts grow about the US’s commitment to NATO, which has been a cornerstone of European security for decades. Trump’s ambitions toward Greenland, which he positioned as vital to national security, have further strained European trust in their ally.

“We live in a new era in geopolitics, and it’s going to require all of us to sort of re-examine what that looks like and what our role is going to be,” Rubio said.

Merz reiterated concerns about the erosion of the rules-based system, stating: “I fear we must put it even more bluntly: this order, however imperfect it was even at its best, no longer exists in that form.” He linked this to the visible split between Europe and the US, noting that Vice-President JD Vance had openly voiced this divide in Munich a year ago.

Last year, Vance criticized European policies on free speech and immigration, which triggered a period of intense transatlantic tension. Merz, however, did not abandon the decades-old partnership. Instead, he appealed to the US, urging collaboration to ‘repair and revive transatlantic trust.’

Additionally, Merz revealed that ‘confidential talks’ were ongoing with French President Emmanuel Macron to develop a joint European nuclear deterrent. France and the UK remain the only nuclear powers on the continent, but Germany and other nations have long depended on the US nuclear umbrella under NATO for security.

Macron, speaking later on Friday, echoed Merz’s sentiment, calling for Europe to ‘learn to become a geopolitical power’ in the current climate. He acknowledged that Europe had already begun rearming after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine but stressed the urgency to ‘accelerate’ collective efforts.

“We have to accelerate and work collectively across the continent,” Macron said.

Describing the Ukraine war as Europe’s ‘existential challenge,’ Macron urged participants to resist Russian pressures and instead apply stronger pressure on Moscow to secure a fair peace. Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to meet Rubio to discuss the US’s potential moves to seize Greenland, a territory central to NATO alliance dynamics.