German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier strongly criticised US foreign policy under President Donald Trump during a symposium held on Wednesday. He urged the international community to safeguard the current world order against a “den of robbers” in which unscrupulous actors exploit weaker nations.
In his remarks, which appeared to reference recent developments such as the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, President Steinmeier expressed concern that global democracy is under unprecedented threat. While his position is largely ceremonial, his statements carry substantial weight.
Steinmeier characterised Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine as pivotal moments in history, asserting that the behaviour of the United States constitutes a significant disruption to the established order.
He stated, “There is a breakdown of values by our most important partner, the USA, which helped build this world order.” He emphasised the necessity of preserving a global environment where regions and nations are not treated as the possessions of a select few powerful states.
A recent ARD poll shows that 76% of Germans believe the United States is not a reliable partner for Germany, up three percentage points since June 2025. Only 15% trust the US, the lowest in this ongoing survey. In contrast, about three-quarters of respondents feel they can rely on France and Britain. Additionally, 69% are concerned about security in Europe and believe NATO partners cannot depend on US protection.
