Angela Merkel Says Europe Must Rely on Itself After G7 Summit

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The 2-day 43^rd G7 Summit hosted by Taormina, Sicily concluded on Saturday, May 27. It seemed to have left German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a lasting impression. On Sunday, she commented that complete reliance on allies is no longer possible for Europe. She added that it’s time for Europe to stand on its own. But she was quick to add that of course, there should still be accord with friendly neighboring countries such as Great Britain, the United States and other nations, including Russia, if needed.

Expressing Disappointment

Although she did not mention any name, it was clear that the most influential leader in Europe, Angela Merkel of Germany, alluded to U.S. President Trump. The leader from the U.S. has criticized some of the NATO allies during the meeting. Mr. Trump likewise refused to support the treaty on global climate change during the G7 Summit.

Ms. Merkel was speaking on her campaign trail in Munich. Other areas where the German Chancellor expressed disappointment include Mr. Trump’s position on trade, Russia and NATO. She posits that traditional alliances are not as strong as before, therefore Europe has to focus more on its interests and Europeans should be responsible for their own future.

Also disappointed were the leaders of Japan, Canada, Italy, Great Britain and France, aside from Germany during the G7 Summit. They were frustrated because they had to go over questions that they thought were settled long ago.

The New Reality After The G7 Summit

There was a time when the United States led and Europe followed. But after her grueling meeting with NATO and attending the G7 Summit, Angela Merkel said she realized that they have to acknowledge the new reality – that Germany’s future rests more with the members of the European Union.

The comments of Ms. Merkel can have strong repercussions among nations. The U.S. wants to protect its own and is not willing to interpose in overseas issues. Thus, Germany, working together with France, poses to be a huge and influential power in Europe. Emmanuel Macron, the new president of France already said that he is willing to work with Merkel’s Germany. He said that he would help the European bloc on its economic woes.

Ivo H. Daalder, the director of Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a former U.S. envoy to NATO, said that it seems the era of the U.S. being the leader and Europe, the follower, is over. Right now, Europe and the United States are heading in different directions on major issues.

What’s Ahead

Ms. Merkel said that Europe would have to fight on their own, after Mr. Trump declined to go with the other leaders on so many issues. He even said that he’s going to make a decision on the Paris pact on climate change in a few days. He also did not make a commitment on dealing with the aggression being shown by Russia. His refusal again brought forth the questions with regard to the ongoing federal investigation about Russia’s possible involvement in the U.S. presidential elections last year.

With the departure of Britain from the European Union, the bloc lost one nuclear power and the second largest economy in the region. Brexit also meant that trans-Atlantic ties would become weaker.

But France and Germany working together renewed hopes that Europe’s broad-based economic revival will continue.