Germany Considers Nuclear Alliance with France and UK Amid Trump’s NATO Threats
In light of recent threats by US President Donald Trump to withdraw military support from Europe, German conservative leader Friedrich Merz has urged for discussions with France and the United Kingdom regarding European nuclear protection.
Trump’s Threats and Europe’s Response
Merz, a candidate for Chancellor in Germany’s upcoming elections, expressed his concerns in an interview with the German public broadcaster ZDF. He stated that Europe must prepare for the possibility that Trump may no longer uphold the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
As a result, Merz believes that European nations need to enhance their own defense capabilities. "We must talk to each other about what that could look like," he said.
Nuclear Sharing and European Independence
Germany currently participates in NATO’s nuclear sharing program with the United States. Under this arrangement, German aircraft would deliver US nuclear bombs to targets in the event of war.
Merz suggested that Germany should consider expanding its nuclear cooperation with France, which has repeatedly offered to discuss the issue. Previous German governments, however, have not pursued these discussions.
France and the UK possess significantly fewer nuclear weapons than the US or Russia. France has expressed interest in collaborating with partners, partly due to cost considerations.
Decision-Making and Strategic Implications
Merz emphasized the importance of determining who would have the final say over the use of nuclear weapons. "It is possible that we in Europe will need to become more independent from the United States in terms of nuclear weapons," he said.
This has been a topic of ongoing debate among security and foreign policy experts for years. Merz previously warned that the US may enter a prolonged period of instability and that its political system could become more authoritarian.
Trump’s NATO Skepticism and Russia Relations
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly questioned the US commitment to NATO. While criticizing European allies, he has also sought to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump recently agreed to peace negotiations regarding Ukraine with Putin, without the involvement of European partners.
Conclusion
Friedrich Merz’s call for discussions with France and the UK on nuclear protection reflects the growing concerns in Europe about the reliability of US security guarantees under the Trump administration. It remains to be seen whether these discussions will lead to a significant shift in European nuclear policy, but they underscore the growing desire for European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense.
