Merz urges Europe and Asia to deepen trade and security ties amid rising great-power rivalry
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a four-day Asian tour, calling on Europe and Asia to strengthen cooperation on trade and defence as global power competition intensifies.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz kicked off a four-day business-focused trip in Singapore, emphasizing that Europe and Asia must define their own role amid a renewed great-power rivalry. He advocated for an EU-CPTPP free-trade agreement and pledged to improve investment conditions, citing confidence from Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in German and European markets. Merz also called for expanded cooperation in security, defence, sustainable energy and artificial intelligence.
In a coordinated European defence statement, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his French, Italian, Polish and British peers urged a "stronger Europe within a stronger NATO" while keeping the United States as an indispensable ally. The article also noted that Munich's Higher Regional Court upheld a minimum 24-year sentence for NSU terrorist Beate Zschäpe, and that a German court will decide whether to proceed with a case against a Nord Stream sabotage suspect. Additional incidents included a serious car-ramming near Hannover that left several injured.
Why it matters
Germany's push for new trade and security partnerships signals a shift in Europe’s strategy amid changing global power dynamics.
How this story developed
- Oct 19 Reichelt warns Berlin coalition plan could lead to socialist expropriation
- Oct 25 The proposal has moved from a coalition draft to a public controversy with right‑wing criticism.
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