Determined Merkel says Germany cannot rely on U.S.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made the strongest speech since the end of World War II, indicating that the European country will distance itself from the Atlantic alliance between the U.S. and the U.K.

Merkel told in an election campaign held at a beer hall in Munich on Sunday (local time), “The days when Europe could rely on others over. We should not be dependent on the U.S.-U.K. alliance. Europe really must take our fate into our own hands.” About 1,000 audiences applauded her and gave positive responses. The Washington Post said that Merkel is suggesting that Germany and Europe are likely take on a much more substantial and independent role than they have in the past 70 years.

“We cannot rely on foreign partners. This is what I have experienced in the last few days,” Merkel said, exposing her disappointment at meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump during NATO and G7 summits. She also told that she was truly disappointed as Trump declined to recommit to the Paris agreement on climate change during the G7 meeting on May 27.

Some regard that her remark is a political rhetoric to be reelected a fourth time in September’s general election. However, the dominant opinion is that she prepared the speech in advance. It appears that Merkel intends to distance Germany from the U.S. and prepare the situations after Brexit, while cooperating with French President Emmanuel Macron. It now remains to be seen her moves when she meets Trump again in the G20 Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Germany in July.

Jung-Min Dong ditto@donga.com