BERLIN — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered unusually forceful criticism of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump on Thursday, warning that worldwide democratic norms and the post-World War II rules-based order risk disintegrating if major powers abandon established principles of international conduct.
Speaking at a symposium in Berlin, Steinmeier — whose role as Germany’s head of state is largely ceremonial but carries significant moral authority — sharply criticized what he described as a “breakdown of values” by the United States, a nation that historically helped construct the global order after World War II. He cautioned against allowing the international system to “turn into a den of robbers,” a metaphor for a world in which powerful actors take what they wish at the expense of weaker states.
“It is about preventing the world from turning into a den of robbers, where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want, where regions or entire countries are treated as the property of a few great powers,” Steinmeier said, underscoring growing concerns among European leaders over unilateral actions that bypass international norms.
His remarks appeared to allude to recent high-profile U.S. actions, including the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which triggered global debate over legality and sovereignty. The president also placed the current tensions within a broader historical context, describing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a watershed moment, followed by what he called a second major rupture in global order linked to U.S. behavior.
While steeped in diplomatic symbolism, Steinmeier’s comments signal deeper unease among European allies about Washington’s shifting approach to multilateral engagement and alliance commitments. Analysts say such rhetoric from a close NATO partner highlights transatlantic strains not seen in years.
A recent public broadcaster ARD poll showed that 76% of Germans believe the United States is no longer a reliable partner, a record low in the survey’s history, reflecting mounting public skepticism toward U.S. leadership on the world stage. Trust in European partners such as France and the United Kingdom remains significantly higher by comparison.
Steinmeier also urged the international community to support active intervention in volatile regions and encouraged emerging powers such as Brazil and India to play a role in upholding the world order, emphasizing that multilateral cooperation must be reinforced if democratic principles are to withstand contemporary geopolitical pressures.
The White House has defended its recent foreign policy decisions as lawful and necessary, with U.S. officials rejecting claims that Washington is abandoning international norms.
(Note: subsequent comment from U.S. officials may be added when available.)
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
