The end of climate protection policies, tariffs on European goods, a new imperialism that is expressed, among other things, in the assertion of rights to the Panama Canal and Greenland: Donald Trump is the embodiment of the worst fears of German politicians.
Despite this, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz decided to send a congratulatory message and wish the new US president "strength and success" in carrying out the tasks ahead. He added in the letter: "Together we can provide crucial impetus for freedom, peace and security, as well as for prosperity and economic development on both sides of the Atlantic."
However, Scholz was not present in Washington, nor was Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). Trump, on the other hand, invited political like-minded people, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentine President Javier Miel.
Sensitive diplomatic report
Most German politicians have hinted or openly stated that they would prefer to see Kamala Harris from the US Democrats in the White House. With one exception: the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is looking forward to Trump. Trump's confidant Elon Musk is publicly promoting the AfD on his X platform in the midst of the German election campaign at the end of February ("Only the AfD can save Germany"), and he called Chancellor Scholz an "incompetent idiot."
Tensions in transatlantic relations have been further exacerbated by a controversial assessment by German Ambassador to the United States Andreas Michaelis. A report intended for Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was leaked to the media and contains harsh criticism of Trump. It states that Trump is pursuing an "agenda of maximum disruption" of relations. The democratic foundations and the American system of separation of powers, it is added, have been greatly weakened by Trump's arrival in the White House. Such a view comes from the man who was supposed to represent the German government at Trump's inauguration.
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Friedrich Merz described the report as a disaster for German-American relations. "It is a major blow to the German government's reputation in Washington. Such a government will not quickly find interlocutors in Washington," Merz said in an interview with public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Merc: Europeans must be united
While Olaf Scholz initially took a confrontational stance towards Trump and, for example, sharply criticized Trump's claims to Greenland, Friedrich Merz has demonstrated a more flexible approach to the issue called Trump from the very beginning. According to opinion polls, Merz has a good chance of becoming chancellor after the elections on February 23, and then, as German prime minister, he will have to work directly with Trump.
Merck wants to approach Trump "as an equal partner" and stresses the importance of uniting European interests. Asked by DW about his expectations of Trump, Merck said at a meeting of the leaders of the European People's Party in Berlin: "As long as the European member states are united, the world, including the US, will respect them. If we remain divided, no one will take us seriously. This is, in my opinion, the last call to action. That's why we have to act."
In a handwritten congratulatory letter to Trump, Merz wrote, among other things: "If the German people give me a mandate for the position of chancellor, one of my priorities will be to work with you on a new chapter in our relations."
Habek: Europe is ready for tariffs
Reacting to Trump's threats to impose tariffs on imports, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) is already warning of serious consequences.
"The consequences of new US tariffs would be serious for the German economy," DIHK director Helena Melnikov told the Rheinische Post daily. In Germany, one in four jobs depends on exports, and in industry, one in two.
Economy Minister Robert Habek, from the Greens, has taken a combative stance from the start: "Europe is ready. If the Americans introduce tariffs, which I do not want and do not expect, Europe will certainly be able to respond with countermeasures, including those that will hit the American economy," Habek told DW.
Habek, who is also responsible for climate protection, also commented on the announcement of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement for another media outlet: "I think it is a fatal signal for the world." But even in Germany, Habek has to face the fact that the topic of climate protection is increasingly losing importance in election campaigns.
Who was invited and who wasn't?
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had an interesting experience with Donald Trump during his first term. She has again advocated for the continuation of a close partnership with the United States. In her recently published autobiography, she spoke openly about the difficulties she had with Trump. However, the transatlantic partnership is, according to her, even more important today than it was a few years ago. A few days ago, at the CDU New Year's reception in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, she said: "Only with the United States and within NATO can we ensure that Putin does not win the war and that Ukraine survives as an independent state."
But Trump has signaled that he plans to end support for Ukraine and negotiate with Putin a quick end to the war, which could require territorial concessions from Kiev.
Thanks to Trump, the AfD feels strengthened. Although no other party in the Bundestag wants to cooperate with the party, which is partly considered far-right, the AfD and Trump share similar views on migration and energy policy. However, the AfD does occasionally make anti-American statements.
Trump's connection to the AfD was also visible in Washington: while Chancellor Olaf Scholz was not invited to the inauguration, AfD politicians Tino Kruppala and Beatrix von Storch, who were invited to the inauguration by the Republican Party, were present.
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