German Chancellor Warns Rules-Based Order ‘No Longer Exists,’ Cites Deep Rift with US

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the rules-based international order “no longer exists,” pointing to what he described as a “deep division” between Europe and the United States.

Speaking on Friday at the opening of the annual Munich Security Conference, Merz addressed global leaders against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances.

“In this era of major power rivalry, our freedom is not guaranteed,” he said, adding that Europeans must be prepared to make sacrifices.

The conference comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has pledged to incorporate Greenland into the United States, a move seen as threatening the sovereignty of Denmark. Trump has also imposed tariffs on imports from European countries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was present in the audience during Merz’s speech and is scheduled to address the conference later. Earlier, Rubio spoke of “a new era in geopolitics.”

Around 50 world leaders are expected to attend this year’s gathering, where discussions will focus on Europe’s defense and the future of transatlantic relations.

Delivering multiple warnings about the erosion of the rules-based system, Merz said, “I believe we must state more clearly that this system — however imperfect it may have been, even at its best — no longer exists in its previous form.”

He added, “A division, a deep rift, has emerged between Europe and the United States. Vice President JD Vance made this very clear in Munich a year ago.”

Merz said Vance had been right in his assessment but stressed that the cultural battles of the “Make America Great Again” movement were not Europe’s. “When speech contradicts human dignity and the constitution, that is where freedom of expression ends for us,” he said. “We do not believe in tariffs and protectionism; we believe in free trade.”

Last year, Vance sharply criticized Europe — particularly the United Kingdom — over free speech and immigration policies, setting the tone for a year of unprecedented tensions in transatlantic relations.

Despite his criticism, Merz underscored the importance of the decades-long partnership with Washington. Addressing the United States directly, he said, “Let us repair and revive transatlantic trust.”

The German leader also revealed that he is engaged in “confidential discussions” with French President Emmanuel Macron on the creation of a joint European nuclear defense system, though he did not provide further details.

In Europe, only France and United Kingdom possess nuclear weapons. Germany and many other European nations have traditionally relied on the United States’ nuclear umbrella under NATO.

Later on Friday, Macron reiterated that in the new global context, Europe must “learn to build itself as a geopolitical power.”