Great. I would add an important factoid: the EU produces way more steel, vehicles, planes and ships than America. Europe has the industrial capacity to take its defence destiny in its own hands. But Merz needs to show leadership to coordinate this well with European partners. - ThreadSky

sandertordoir.bsky.social • 11 hours ago

Great. I would add an important factoid: the EU produces way more steel, vehicles, planes and ships than America.

Europe has the industrial capacity to take its defence destiny in its own hands.

But Merz needs to show leadership to coordinate this well with European partners.

Reposted from Alexander Clarkson

Merz just said on German TV that the primary priority of his government will be to ensure that Europe can achieve full strategic independence from the United States in the defence against Russia.

Merz was once a die hard Atlanicist. Now, after Trump he is a Gaullist.

Extraordinary.

Comments

rossi03.bsky.social•10 hours ago

That’s a key point! Europe’s industrial capacity far exceeds the U.S. in several key areas, making it more than capable of managing its own defense. But as you said, the real challenge is leadership

houzi4.bsky.social•8 hours ago

… for which he needs shrewd ministers.

hcxs.bsky.social•9 hours ago

#GoGermany #SlavaUkraine #NoFascist #Resist #USGovtCoup #NoNaziUS #DefendTheConstitution #DefendDemocracy#DefendTheRightToVote #50501Movement

brookshoffos.me•10 hours ago

No doubt. The EU produces way more steel, vehicles, planes, and ships than the U.S. It has the industrial power to take its defense into its own hands. But Merz needs to step up and actually lead if Europe is going to coordinate this properly.

sandertordoir.bsky.social•11 hours ago

It isn’t even close. We produce way way more, and have more than 2x manufacturing jobs than America.

Europe will remain a manufacturing powerhouse if we are willing to defend it from Chinas distortions.

sandertordoir.bsky.social•11 hours ago

Benjamin Wolf, Austrian journalist, rightly shot that fact into the world on the other place some time ago.

balderick.bsky.social•10 hours ago

The EU charter needs rewriting/ adjusting so that countries like Hungary cannot obstruct plans and unity.

stephenswan.bsky.social•10 hours ago

And it needs to do so and pretty damn quick too.

sandertordoir.bsky.social•10 hours ago

Absolutely - with the UK. No more Brexit nonsense please, we share the same interests and values.

stephenswan.bsky.social•10 hours ago

Quite so. And I would suggest Canada too. And just for the record I think Brexit was the worst policy decision that any UK government has made (referendum notwithstanding) since 1938.

marytorgersen.bsky.social•7 hours ago

Better late than never, but late nevertheless.

onthecrown.bsky.social•8 hours ago

Thank you for this - any chance that factoid has been written up in any EU think tank reports or similar? Would like to read more.

gavinknight1.bsky.social•9 hours ago

Plan for Europe’s Defense Surge: Joint procurement + streamlined EU arms contracts.
Suspend competition rules, fast-track exports.
Secure raw materials, reskill workers, €100B Eurobonds.
Repurpose factories, override vetoes.
Goal: Triple artillery shells, slash US reliance by 40%.

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