Despite the auto tariffs and verbal attacks by Donald Trump, Germany relies on de -escalation in dealing with him. So far, however, this procedure has no fruits.
Power struggles in international politics sometimes remind of the struggle for survival in nature – often the right of the stronger applies.
For people who unarmed bears in North America in their natural habitats, there is a recommendation for behavior: if a black bear attacks, you should fight your way up in an emergency until the animal leaves you up. Meanwhile, it is a brown bear or better to stand dead until the bear hopefully loses interest. It is agreed that these encounters usually run lightly, but they can also go wrong.
Since Trump’s takeover of power, the United States allies have a central question: How should they deal with this political destructive rage?
An answer does not seem to be found, there are strategies. Countries like Canada are combative, break public with the Trump administration. Others such as South Korea or Japan give in and hope for negotiations in the hope that Trump drains away from them. Germany, on the other hand, tries to go a middle ground – to be confident, but to stay ready to talk.
The central problem: Germany’s strategy has not really worked.
European lack of disorientation actually began before the republican election in November 2024. At that time, political Berlin and also from the EU Commission from Brussels could always be heard: Europe is prepared, much better than before Trump’s first term.
A mistake of how quickly after Trump’s inauguration showed itself in January 2025. The EU prepared for possible trade conflicts and tariffs and tried to deter the US government with countermeasures. But the EU countries remained idle. The US President quickly questioned the alliance loyalty to NATO, the security in Europe and Ukraine wanted to leave the Europeans. It was also a surprise for many decision -makers in Brussels and Berlin.
Because only after the change of power in Washington suddenly emerged in Europe to want to become autonomous by the United States with a view to their own defense. With a coalition of the willing, France and Great Britain to demonstrate the US government that they can assume more responsibility in supporting Ukraine. Too late, many security experts.
Because Trump has been spreading chaos since taking office, also by leaving Europeans unclear about his plans. At the Munich Security Conference in February, his Vice President JD Vance explained, for example, that the EU countries were ideologically a larger opponent for the United States than Russia.
Other officials such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio or the US special envoy Keith Kellogg hit conciliatory tones behind closed doors. The United States message: The Americans would have to familiarize themselves first, but they would continue to be on their security policy responsibility towards Europe and Ukraine.
video | Meeting of Trump and Selenskyj escalated
