Analysis: Angela Merkel's message to Joe Biden

A way of aid 4 years later pulsed by way of her congratulatory message to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. “Joe Biden brings with him many years of expertise in home and international coverage. He is aware of Germany and Europe nicely,” Merkel mentioned in her first televised handle because the US election.

Her greeting envisages America returning as an assertive international chief to sort out the “main challenges of our time” like local weather change, the pandemic, terrorism, commerce and the financial system, “aspect by aspect” with Europe. However Merkel additionally understands that Trump’s presidency, assaults on NATO and cheap calls for for Europe to pay extra for its personal protection replicate political dynamics inside the US that imply the previous halcyon days of American safety aren’t coming again — even when Russia stays a vigorous adversary.

“We Germans and Europeans perceive that we should tackle extra obligations on this partnership within the 21st century. America stays our most vital ally, nevertheless it rightfully expects extra effort from us to ensure our personal safety and to defend our values world wide,” Merkel mentioned.