Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany's scheduled visit to London on Thursday marks a significant step in the ongoing consolidation of European unity against escalating foreign threats. In stark contrast to the grand state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, this meeting will focus on the strategic collaboration between Britain and Germany.
During this visit, the two nations are anticipated to sign an Anglo-German treaty encompassing key areas such as defense, energy, economic partnership, and migration. This defense agreement builds upon a previous accord from last October, which established a framework for mutual defense and included joint military training and the advancement of state-of-the-art weaponry.
The newly elected Merz, representing the center-right, has rapidly emerged as a pivotal figure in Europe's aspirations to achieve greater independence in security matters, especially following the resurgence of President Trump in the U.S. presidency. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's engagement with Merz at 10 Downing Street emphasizes Britain's commitment to being a leadership player in European support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
Although specifics of the treaty are still in negotiation, it is expected to feature a mutual defense clause, asserting that any threat to one nation would be viewed as a threat to the other. This reflects a similar commitment made recently between Britain and France regarding closer coordination of their nuclear capabilities in response to threats targeting European allies.
While Germany may not possess nuclear weapons, it stands as the third-largest military hardware supplier to Ukraine after the U.S. and the U.K., according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Under Merz's leadership, Germany has committed to increasing its military expenditure to 3.5% of its gross domestic product by 2029, marking the most extensive rearmament initiative since the Cold War's conclusion.
