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Germany's Merz calls for stronger NATO within Europe, but wants to maintain US ties

AL-Monitor
Jan 29, 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a government statement on the foreign policy situation during a session of the lower house of the German parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a government statement on the foreign policy situation during a session of the lower house of the German parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen — Liesa Johannssen

BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday called for a stronger NATO within Europe but said that it should also always extend the hand of cooperation to the United States.

Speaking to the German parliament, Merz also said that Europe will not be cowed by tariff threats any longer.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Matthias Williams, Editing by Friederike Heine)