BERLIN — On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asserted that the principle of maintaining inviolable borders is essential for every nation, regardless of its power. He indicated that the expansionist remarks made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have caused “incomprehension” among various European leaders.
Trump recently mentioned he would not exclude military action to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, which is an autonomous region of Denmark—an ally of the U.S. and a member of both NATO and the European Union. He emphasized that U.S. authority over these territories is crucial for American national security.
In a press conference that was organized on short notice, Scholz revealed that he had earlier communicated with several unnamed European leaders as well as the president of the European Council. He emphasized the significance of a longstanding principle that prohibits the alteration of borders through force, a rule he claims Russian President Vladimir Putin has contravened with his aggression in Ukraine.
Scholz noted that during the discussions, a palpable sense of confusion was evident regarding the current statements emerging from the U.S. “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it is located to the east of us or the west. Each nation, regardless of size or power, is expected to adhere to this principle,” he stated.
“This principle is a cornerstone of international law and an integral aspect of what we identify as Western values,” he continued. Although Scholz did not directly address Trump by name or mention specifics about his statements, he did highlight the significance of NATO, referring to it as “a central pillar of the transatlantic relationship.”
During Trump’s press briefing on Tuesday, he proposed that NATO should significantly raise its defense spending goals, suggesting that member nations should commit at least 5% of their GDP to defense, compared to the existing 2%. Germany had been under criticism from Trump for not meeting this target during his first presidential term but has since increased its defense budget following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Chancellor Scholz noted the existence of a “regulated procedure” within NATO that is responsible for determining necessary military resources. He emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among member states when addressing these issues.
