President Steinmeier Condemns Trump’s Disregard for International Norms
Introduction
In his opening address at the Munich Security Conference, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier strongly criticized the new US administration led by President Donald Trump for its recklessness and its departure from established international rules.
A Divergent Worldview and the Threat to the International Community
Steinmeier asserted that the new US government "has a different worldview than we do, one that disregards established rules, cultivated partnerships, and trust." He emphasized that the preservation of the concept of an international community would be a critical undertaking in the years to come.
The president expressed concern that the constant uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s actions could have a profound impact on international politics. "Since January 20th, everyone has been transfixed by the White House, wondering what will happen next or who will be targeted next," he said. He questioned whether this constant anxiety could alter not only the relationship between the US and other nations but also the dynamics among all nations, potentially damaging the international community as a whole.
A Call for European and International Unity
Steinmeier urged Europe and its international partners to remain steadfast in the face of the torrent of announcements from the US. "We must not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by the flood of announcements. We must not be paralyzed by fear," he stressed.
Regarding the "different worldview" of the Trump administration, Steinmeier acknowledged that it could not be changed. "But I firmly believe that it is not in the best interests of the international community for this worldview to become the sole dominant paradigm. Lawlessness must not become the guiding principle for a new world order," he asserted. He warned that "it makes a great difference when the leading democracy and world power declares that rules are dispensable."
The Future of Liberal Democracy Under Siege
Steinmeier also emphasized that the future of liberal democracy was at stake. "Democracy is not a playground for disruption – disruption is a term that tech entrepreneurs and political populists currently like to use," he stated. While this call for disruption had indeed shaken up many markets and business models, Steinmeier cautioned that "democracy is not a business model. It is not a playground for disruption."
He noted that geopolitical adversaries, particularly Russia, were already waging hybrid warfare against liberal democracies in the digital communication sphere. China, he added, was using digital technology to expand its autocratic power.
The Concentration of Power in the US and the Threat to Democratic Norms
Steinmeier expressed concern about the unprecedented concentration of technological, financial, and political power in the United States. "As a democrat, I am deeply worried when a small entrepreneurial elite has the power, the means, and the will to redefine a significant portion of the rules of liberal democracy," he said. He was even more concerned when some members of this elite "make no secret of their contempt for the institutions and norms of our democracy." According to Steinmeier, "the self-assertion of our democracy" was at stake.
Conclusion
President Steinmeier’s speech at the Munich Security Conference served as a strong rebuke of President Trump’s policies and rhetoric. He called for unity among European and international partners to resist the erosion of international norms and preserve the future of liberal democracy in an increasingly volatile world.
