German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has called on European nations to adopt a more assertive stance to successfully navigate the current period of global turbulence. He warned that the transatlantic alliance between the US and Europe, upon which European prosperity has been built, is disintegrating, while trade policies are increasingly being weaponized, placing an "extreme burden" on Germany's export-dependent economy. Speaking at a DIW institute event in Berlin on Wednesday, Klingbeil stated that the European Union "must not shy away from more robust and far-reaching measures when under pressure." He added that in areas such as defense capabilities and securing critical raw materials, member states should also consider advancing urgent initiatives in smaller groups if other countries impede progress. "I am firmly convinced that we Germans and Europeans can protect our own interests, provided we correctly recognize the new realities and respond appropriately," Klingbeil said. "Our competitors are not idle; they are deliberately working to undermine our competitiveness. We must defend our interests more assertively than ever before," Klingbeil stated. The text notes that Merz and Klingbeil have made the governing coalition's stability a top priority for Germany, but the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House and its impact on the global order present significant challenges.
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