Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, concluded his five-day trip to Asia with reflections on Europe's past. During this trip, which included Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, he faced challenges regarding security and trade cooperation and reminded that the unstable situation in this region is directly linked to the state of Europe.
Security Challenges in Asia
Merz encountered the launch of about 10 short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea while visiting the Korean demilitarized zone. He stated that his major security concerns in Germany, such as Russia's war against Ukraine and Moscow's threats to Europe, are increasingly becoming challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Merz also referred to North Korea's cooperation with Russia, stating, "Russia's war against Ukraine is always present in this region." He emphasized the need for close cooperation with Japan, South Korea, and Singapore on security policy issues.
Defense and Trade Cooperation
This trip, in addition to security issues, provided an opportunity to explore defense cooperation as well. Merz traveled with a large business delegation, including defense companies like Airbus and Diehl Defense. He emphasized that German companies, as the largest supporters of Ukraine, are currently active in that country and can help Asian countries benefit from new technologies.
Merz also addressed international challenges and violations of global laws, especially by Russia and China, stating that "we are on the brink of a new era." He is attempting to propose a "global political alliance for rule-based trade" so that middle powers can jointly defend against major powers and ineffective international organizations.
However, Merz's trip was also accompanied by challenges as he faced strong protests from Asian countries regarding the new "made in Europe" regulations for the automotive industry. He noted that this issue is a significant concern in the region and that he will take these complaints "very seriously."
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