German Chancellor Says European Union Is Strong Enough To Maintain Its Interest In The United States

Informal meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, Belgium. (Twitter/@POLAND25EU)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Europe was strong enough to pursue its own interests in trade negotiations with the United States after attending an informal meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, Belgium on Monday.

"European Union is strong. We have every opportunity to ensure that we can safeguard our own interests," Chancellor Scholz said.

"And that is also a message to the United States, which at the same time connects with us through our holding hands," he continued.

Chancellor Scholz further praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for winning breathing room from US President Donald Trump's tariff threat.

"The president of Mexico is a smart politician," he said.

"He was calm," said Chancellor Scholz.

German Chancellor also acknowledged issues in the European Union's joint defense policies such as fragmentation and the absence of a large joint defense program.

"That has to be changed and that's why we have to change the way of buying," he said.

He also commented on President Trump's latest request for Ukraine to provide rare earth metal for Uncle Sam's country in exchange for the assistance sent, saying "it would be very selfish, very selfish".

"These resources will be better used for state reconstruction (Ukraine) after the war," added Scholz.