Merz on tour: Between offensive and defensive: Chancellor Merz in Brussels

European debts only in exceptional cases, abolition of the EU Lief chain law, zero tariffs: Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear announcements when he visited Brussels, but has become defensive on a topic. With Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Council António Costa and Parliamentary President Roberta Metsola, he met the three top representatives of the EU in the Belgian capital, and a meeting with NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte was also on the program. An overview.

Merz: border controls are not alone

Merz had to put up with critical questions primarily because of the tightening of the border controls and rejections by asylum seekers. The Chancellor replied that the rejections were in accordance with European law. Germany has the right to carry out stricter controls, said the CDU politician.

At the same time, the Chancellor made it clear that the measures should not have a negative impact on the European internal market. “I would also like to say this to all heads of the state and government in the European Union, who may be concerned about these days that there are restrictions. We want to avoid restrictions under all circumstances.” Commission President of the Leyen did not want to conclude the German approach. She said that border controls are possible at EU internal borders – but only limited in time and in close coordination.

Ukraine: Merz supports Trump and threatens Putin

It was a coincidence that Merz on the eve of his Brussels trip to US President Donald Trump. From this conversation, however, he also brought a clear announcement: he supported the advance for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in the Ukraine War and threatened Russia at the same time with further sanctions, should it not go into it.

“Russia in particular is now asked to finally get involved in a longer ceasefire that has to give space for a real peace treaty,” he said. “If this does not happen, we will not hesitate to further increase sanction pressure together with our European partners and the United States.”

Merz also said, for example, about the desired schedule: “I have the great hope that there will be an appointment over this weekend for an armistice in Ukraine.”

Customs conflict with the USA – Merz advertises “Down to Zero”

What’s next in the customs conflict with the USA? And how does the new German federal government position itself? Merz made it clear in Brussels that he wants to actively support the efforts to take a negotiation solution. According to his own statements, he campaigned in his first phone call to Donald Trump to abolish all tariffs between the United States and the EU. “In my view, I told him that this is not a good idea to escalate this customs dispute. The best solution would be down to zero (down to zero) for everything and for everyone,” said the CDU politician. Trump invited him to come to Washington, and they would talk to each other about this question in the near future.

“My impression is that in America the discussion about the adverse effects of the high tariffs for your own economy is now beginning, and of course he perceives it,” said Merz.

During his inaugural visit to NATO headquarters, Merz got to do with all the major topics that the defense alliance is currently busy. In addition to the demands of US President Trump after defense expenditure of up to five percent of the economic power and Russia’s war, this was, among other things, the membership perspective of Ukraine. Merz was not particularly optimistic about this. “Ukraine has an access to the European Union. It will surely be before the NATO joining – if it should come about one day,” he said. Merz did not comment on temporal perspectives. Ukraine’s accession to the EU is also currently being expected at the beginning of the next decade.

Merz did not want to specifically evaluate current proposals to increase the NATO target for defense expenditure to 3.5 percent of GDP and then also to provide expenditure for militarily usable infrastructure of 1.5 percent. However, he emphasized that more money alone is not the right answer to the current challenges, and also called for discussions about more efficiency in the procurement of weapons systems. In addition, Merz pointed out that a GDP quota, which is one percentage point for Germany, currently means around 45 billion euros more in defense spending. At the moment, the Federal Republic of two percent is almost 100 billion euros.

Merz wants to abolish the European supply chain law

In a press conference with Von der Leyen, Merz demanded reduction in bureaucracy and the abolition of the European supply chain directive. “We will abolish the national law in Germany. I also expect the European Union to understand this step and really abolish this directive,” said the CDU politician. The black and red coalition agreement actually states that the German supply chain law should be replaced by a law on international corporate responsibility “that the European supply chain guideline (CSDDD) implemented low in bureaucracy and with an enforcement-friendly manner”.

EU debt? Merz sees difficult discussion ahead

Before the upcoming negotiations on the next long-term EU budget, Merz emphasized in Brussels that common European debts had to remain the exception. He ruled out a permanent joint admission, for example, to build the defense industry. At the same time, he admitted that this should be a difficult discussion. In view of the threats from Russia, several states such as France are open to the inclusion of new joint debts. Germany, the Netherlands and Austria in particular, have so far rejected this.

Wishes to the new German Chancellor

And what are the expectations of Merz? EU Council President Costa said that he rely on Merz Germany at the center of the European decision-making process. A new head always means new ideas and new impulses. Costa confidently commented that Merz ‘energy and will will bring the European Union forward.