German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accepted US accusations that Europe was doing too little to fund its own defence and security, but now believes they are on the same page.
"We know we have to do more on our own and we have been free-riders in the past," he told the BBC's Today Programme, "they're asking us to do more and we are doing more."
Merz was in the UK to boost defence ties with Germany, as part of a historic friendship treaty that also aims to tackle irregular migration and promote youth exchanges.
Russia's war with Ukraine has framed the early weeks of his chancellorship, as has US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% import tariffs on European Union exports from 1 August.
Germany's Merz tells BBC Europe was free-riding on US
Merz said he very much hoped that the first people who might see a practical difference from the friendship treaty would be students, so that the younger generation could drive relations between the two allies in the future.
There are also plans for a direct rail link from London to Berlin, and for British and German students to take part in exchanges, which have declined since Brexit.
The chancellor said his government would "do our homework immediately" and expected it would not take long to push through parliament after the summer recess.
- Merz said he very much
- Chancellor said his government
- Parliament after the summer recess.
Germany's Merz tells BBC Europe was free-riding on US
Merz said he very much hoped that the first people who might see a practical difference from the friendship treaty would be students, so that the younger generation could drive relations between the two allies in the future.
There are also plans for a direct rail link from London to Berlin, and for British and German students to take part in exchanges, which have declined since Brexit.
The chancellor said his government would "do our homework immediately" and expected it would not take long to push through parliament after the summer recess.
- Merz said he very much
- Chancellor said his government
- Parliament after the summer recess.
