German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a speech to open the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany. AFP
"In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone," Merz told the Munich Security Conference, switching to English to appeal directly to Washington.
"Dear friends, being a part of NATO is not only Europe's competitive advantage. It's also the United States' competitive advantage. So let's repair and revive transatlantic trust together. We, the Europeans -- we are doing our part."
"A rift" has opened between the United States and Europe, driven by culture wars of US President Donald Trump's MAGA movement, Merz said.
"Let me begin with the uncomfortable truth: A rift, a deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States."
"(US) Vice President JD Vance said this a year ago here in Munich. He was right in his description," Merz said, referring to a 2025 speech in which Vance accused Europe of stifling free speech and other democratic rights.
"I have held confidential talks with the French president about European nuclear deterrence," Merz said at the opening of the Munich Security Conference.
Earlier on Friday, Chancellor Merz said that he was in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about nuclear deterrence, as worries grow about US security commitments to Europe.
He previously said he was open to France extending its nuclear deterrent in Europe. Germany, which cannot acquire its own atomic weapons due to treaty obligations, has traditionally relied on the US nuclear umbrella via its participation in NATO.
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