German Officials Needle Trump at Munich Security Conference
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by Jim TankersleyFebruary 13, 2026
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a significant critique of President Trump at the Munich Security Conference, challenging the notion of U.S. global leadership under Trump's tenure. Speaking in German but concluding with an English address to American officials, Merz highlighted the erosion of shared values between Europe and the U.S., particularly on issues like climate change, free trade, and opposition to hate speech. He emphasized that while Americans are considered friends, the policies of Trump's administration have created a divide, as noted by Vice President JD Vance in a previous critique at the same conference.
Merz's remarks were part of a broader shift in German strategy toward Europe in
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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/13/2026