In the face of the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, German Environment Minister and Green Party candidate Robert Habeck has called for greater unity in Europe. “We should always be aware: Germany and the USA, Europe and the USA, benefit from cooperation. And they lose if they do not work together” Habeck said in a YouTube video published on Tuesday evening, in which he emphasized that he will continue to work and campaign for the transatlantic partnership.
“Meanwhile, yesterday was a turning point. Donald Trump has made initial announcements with a push of orders: withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, expansion of gas and oil drilling, withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a foreign policy motto of ‘America First,’ and many other threats are on the horizon” Habeck said. Trump is being celebrated by tech billionaires.
The resulting uncertainty must be met with “calm, clarity, and strength” the Green politician said. After all, Europe is the world’s largest internal market and has a power that needs to be used.
Europe can only be strong, “if Germany works for Europe, if it puts itself in the service of Europe” Habeck said. “That is the job we have to do.” This also means defending liberal democracy and social market economy.
“We know our European interests and we will advocate for them” the minister said. This requires strengthening Europe’s economic power, innovation, and security. Then, one can approach the USA “from a position of strength” and achieve the “best possible cooperation.