German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a sweeping and forceful address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warning that the post-Cold War global order is rapidly collapsing and that the world has entered a new era of great power politics driven by strength, pressure, and force. In his speech, Merz pointed to Russia’s war against Ukraine, China’s rise as a strategic power, and a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign and security policy, arguing that international law and long-standing norms are under unprecedented strain. Drawing on Germany’s own history, he warned that a world governed purely by power is dangerous for small states, middle powers, and ultimately the great powers themselves. Merz called for a stronger, more sovereign Europe, pushing for deep economic reforms, reduced bureaucracy, and renewed competitiveness. He defended the Mercosur trade deal, criticised Europe’s culture of over-regulation, and announced plans for a special EU summit to reset economic policy. On security, Merz reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to NATO, stressing that trust within the transatlantic alliance must be repaired, not abandoned. He explicitly pledged German solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, stating that NATO would protect the High North from Russian threats, while warning that any attempt to acquire European territory by force or impose new tariffs would be met with a united and firm European response. Watch his full speech here.