-9.3 C
Ottawa
Friday, December 12, 2025

Merz Admits EU Nations Have Been ‘Free-Riders’ on US Over Defense

Date:

Merz Admits EU Nations Have Been ‘Free-Riders’ on US Over Defense

President Donald Trump greets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House in Washington on June 5, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has admitted Europe spent too long relying on the United States for its defense and security, but said they were now on the “same page.”

“We know 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 … to do that any longer, and they’re asking us to do more, and we are doing more,” Merz told the BBC on Friday.

About the author: Chris Summers
Tell us something about yourself.
spot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Share post:

More like this
Related

Thailands PM to Speak With Trump as Fighting With Cambodia Rages, Snap Election Called

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks to reporters in...

Bill Seeks to Phase-Out Chinese Sensors in Self-Driving Cars, Infrastructure

A lidar sensor on top of an autonomous...

Territory Remains Key Issue in Peace Plan Negotiations, Says Zelenskyy

Ukraine presented a revised 20-point version of the plan...

US Bombers Join Japanese Jets for Air Drill Over Sea of Japan

The 6th Air Wing of Japan Air Self-Defense Force's...