Image copyright
Getty Images
Ms Merkel did not mention Mr Trump by name but alluded to strained US-German relations
In 2019 Germany will assume greater international responsibility and must stand up for its convictions, Angela Merkel has vowed in an annual address.
The chancellor said old certainties about international cooperation had “come under pressure”, alluding to strained US-German relations.
This year, President Donald Trump has waged a war of words on multiple German domestic and foreign policy issues.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Mrs Merkel’s New Year’s speech will be broadcast in full later on Monday.
Over the past year, Chancellor Merkel has been a leading defender of multilateralism, in contrast to Mr Trump’s America First foreign policy.
“In our own interest, we must take on more responsibility,” the German leader said, warning that global problems like climate change, migration and terrorism cannot be solved alone.
By taking up a temporary seat on the UN Security Council in 2019 and 2020, Germany would push for “global solutions”, Ms Merkel said.
The chancellor, who will step down in 2021, pledged to increase the country’s spending on humanitarian and development aid, and defence.
Mrs Merkel also addressed Germany’s deep political divide, conceding her government had let down citizens, but calling for solidarity and cooperation.
“We will only master the challenges of our times if we stick together and collaborate with others across borders.”
This year, Mrs Merkel averted the near collapse of her coalition government over a migration row, rising out of Germany’s acceptance of more than one million migrants and refugees in 2015.
After her party’s poor results in regional elections this year, Ms Merkel announced she would be stepping down as party chairperson, a position she has held for 18 years.