Finance
German President Warns Trump's Return Marks Profound Rupture in Transatlantic Ties
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 24, 2026
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German President Steinmeier warned that Trump’s second term is a turning point in transatlantic relations, comparing its rupture to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He urged Germany to reduce dependencies on the U.S., especially in defence and technology, and called for Europe to leverage its ethical s
German President: Trump's Second Term Could Profoundly Impact Transatlantic Relations
Implications of Trump's Second Term for German Foreign Policy
Steinmeier's Warning on Transatlantic Relations
BERLIN, March 24 (Reuters) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term marked a rupture in German foreign relations that was as profound as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and required Germany to seek more independence.
"Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations before January 20, 2025," said Steinmeier, according to prepared remarks.
Lessons from Russian Dependencies
Germany had to take the lessons it learned in extricating itself from "excessive dependencies" on Russia and apply them to the United States, particularly in defence and technology, he was due to say at a foreign office event in Berlin on Tuesday.
The Role of the German Presidency
As president, Steinmeier's role is largely ceremonial, influencing society through his role as state representative.
Technological Independence and Security Concerns
Reducing Reliance on U.S. Technology
Germany has placed an emphasis on creating alternatives to U.S.-dominated technology as concerns grow over U.S. access.
Foreign Policy Power and Digital Influence
"We know that this technological lead means not only foreign policy power, but also the power to influence our domestic politics through digital platforms and social media," said Steinmeier.
AI and Transatlantic Tensions
The spat between the Pentagon and Anthropic over safety guardrails surrounding the latter's artificial intelligence could be a wake-up call, or even an opportunity, for Europe, he added.
Europe's Opportunity as a Technology Hub
"Europe as a technology hub has talent, markets, opportunities and, importantly, ethical standards. We should build on these," he said.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Miranda MurrayEditing by Ludwig Burger)
Key Takeaways
- •Steinmeier likened the break in relations under Trump to the irreversible shift in ties with Russia post‑Feb 24, 2022, saying there’s no return to pre‑Jan 20, 2025 norms.
- •He urged Germany to apply lessons from reducing reliance on Russia to U.S. ties—focusing on defence and tech independence.
- •Steinmeier highlighted Europe’s potential as a tech hub rooted in ethical standards amid heightened concerns over U.S. digital dominance.
Frequently Asked Questions about German president warns Trump's return marks profound rupture in transatlantic ties
1What did the German president say about US-German relations if Trump returns?
President Steinmeier warned that Trump's second term would mark a profound rupture in transatlantic ties, similar to the rupture caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
2Why does Germany seek more independence from the US?
Germany wants to reduce dependencies on the US in defense and technology, learning from its experience breaking ties with Russia.
3What areas does Germany focus on to achieve more independence?
Germany is focusing on defense and developing alternatives to US-dominated technology platforms to strengthen its autonomy.
4How does Germany view US control of technology?
Germany is concerned about US technological dominance, which provides foreign policy power and the ability to influence domestic politics through digital platforms.
5What opportunity does the Anthropic AI debate present for Europe?
The Anthropic AI debate is seen as a wake-up call and an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its position as a technology hub with ethical standards.
