Germany Braces for a New Era in Transatlantic Relations After US Unveils Controversial Security Strategy

Germany is signaling a significant recalibration of its expectations toward Washington following the release of the United States’ new national security strategy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that the document marks a turning point in transatlantic relations, noting that Berlin must prepare for shifts in Washington’s strategic posture.

While expressing hope that the partnership will endure, Merz acknowledged that the tone and content of the new doctrine reflect longstanding concerns raised by US leadership. His remarks emphasized a mix of realism and cautious optimism as Europe digests the implications of America’s changing priorities.

The Trump administration’s new security strategy places overwhelming emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region and pointedly rejects European governments’ framing of Russia as an “existential threat.” The 33-page document goes further, offering a stark critique of Europe’s political, economic, and societal trajectory. It warns of economic decline, demographic fragility, and what it calls the “real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure” within two decades. It also accuses EU institutions of undermining sovereignty, rebukes migration policies, and criticizes the treatment of far-right and anti-immigration parties across the continent. For Berlin and other European capitals, the language represents an unmistakable departure from previous US strategic communications.

Although Merz voiced regret over the document’s sharp judgments, he acknowledged that its themes were not surprising. Many of the arguments mirror comments delivered earlier this year by US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, where Washington signaled impatience with European defense spending and internal political dynamics. As Germany and the EU reassess their policy assumptions, the chancellor stressed the need to maintain open dialogue with Washington. Despite widening differences, Berlin aims to preserve the transatlantic partnership, even as Europe confronts a future in which American strategic priorities may no longer align as closely with its own.