German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been increasingly critical of the EU, while drawing closer to one of the bloc's biggest critics: President Donald Trump.

  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been growing increasingly critical of the European Union.

  • His tone marks a notable shift compared to his more EU-friendly predecessor.

  • Meanwhile, Merz has been building a relationship with EU-critical U.S. President Donald Trump.

The historically EU-friendly Merz, a former member of the European Parliament, now has a long list of complaints about the bloc. This has included objections to an increase in the EU’s new long-term budget that was proposed last month, as well as calling the bloc out for sluggishness and complex bureaucracy. Germany was also among the louder critics of the EU-U.S. trade agreement.

  • Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    51·
    4 days ago

    Read the text to the end.

    The political agreement of 27 July 2025 is not legally binding. Beyond taking the immediate actions committed, the EU and the US will further negotiate, in line with their relevant internal procedures, to fully implement the political agreement.

    Emphasis mine.

    There is no agreement yet (other than an agreement to negotiate).