Once ‘free rider’ on defense, Europe now stepping up amid US 'pivot to Asia’: German chancellor

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged Friday that the US was right to criticize Europe’s lack of defense spending, admitting that Germany and others had long relied on American security guarantees amid Washington's shift in focus to Asia.

Merz said in a BBC interview that while former US presidents were clear and committed to Europe, President Donald Trump took a different stance, one that has since reshaped European thinking.

"He is not as clear and as committed as former US presidents were, former US administrations were, and that's the reason why we are all looking for more independency from American defense," Merz said.

"We know that we have to do more on our own, and we have been free riders in the past, and the Americans guaranteed our freedom and our security, and they are not willing — understandably — they are not willing to do that any longer, and they are asking us to do more, and we are doing more," he added.

Merz’s remarks come amid renewed debate about NATO burden-sharing and defense commitments, particularly in light of shifting US foreign policy priorities.

When asked whether Trump and his administration were justified in their blunt criticism of Europe’s defense posture, Merz conceded that the pressure had an effect.

"They pushed us and when we had our general elections — this was a week after the Munich Security Conference — when we saw (US Vice President) JD Vance speaking to us in a very open manner ... we have to draw our consequences out of that, and we are doing that," he said.

Merz also stood by previous assessments about Trump’s lack of engagement with Europe in favor of an ongoing "pivot to Asia."

"There are other places in the world the Americans are interested in, and they are seeing themselves in a very hard competition with China. And that's the reason why they are telling us, take care for your own," he said.

He said Germany was increasing its defense commitments, calling the shift a significant change in transatlantic security. “We are doing more,” he said.