German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the start of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term marks a break in relations with the United States that he considers as deep as the rupture with Russia following its invasion on February 24, 2022. Speaking in Berlin at a foreign office event where he was due to address attendees, Steinmeier framed the new U.S. administration’s return as a defining moment for Germany’s foreign policy calculations.
"Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations before January 20, 2025," Steinmeier said, according to prepared remarks. He urged Germany to apply the same lessons it drew from disentangling itself from "excessive dependencies" on Russia to its relationship with the United States.
Steinmeier emphasized that this reassessment should concentrate on areas where dependence could create strategic vulnerabilities, highlighting defence and technology as particular priorities. As president, Steinmeier holds largely ceremonial powers, but he uses the office to shape public debate and signal priorities to both policymakers and society.
On technology, he warned that dominance in this sphere confers not just foreign policy leverage but also the ability to shape domestic political discourse through digital platforms and social media. "We know that this technological lead means not only foreign policy power, but also the power to influence our domestic politics through digital platforms and social media," he said.
Germany has already placed emphasis on developing alternatives to technology dominated by the United States amid growing concern about U.S. access. Steinmeier pointed to the recent dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic over safety guardrails for artificial intelligence as a potential spur for Europe to bolster its own technological capabilities. He described the spat as either a wake-up call or an opportunity for Europe.
He argued that Europe is well positioned to build on its strengths in talent, markets and ethical standards. "Europe as a technology hub has talent, markets, opportunities and, importantly, ethical standards. We should build on these," Steinmeier said, urging policymakers and industry to consider those comparative advantages when planning future technology and defence strategies.
Context and implications
Steinmeier’s remarks call for a strategic re-evaluation in areas that intersect with national security and industrial policy. While his office is largely ceremonial, his public intervention is intended to influence debate on how Germany and Europe respond to shifts in international relationships and technological power dynamics.