German Chancellor says Europe was free-riding on US | BBC News

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accepted US accusations that Europe was not funding its own defense and security, but now believes they are on the same page. He said that Russia's war with Ukraine has shaped his early weeks as chancellor, and that the US President threatened to impose a 30% import tariff on EU exports from 1 August. Merz said that the threat is Russia, not just Ukraine, and that it affects Europe's peace, freedom, and political order. He also mentioned that the UK, Germany, and France are working on a triangular alliance called E3, focusing on security, foreign policy, and economic growth.