Germany's Merz says no to European protectionism but EU needs to defend itself

Record ID: 2340146

  • Title: Germany's Merz says no to European protectionism but EU needs to defend itself
  • Date: 12th February 2026
  • Summary: PREAH VIHEAR PROVINCE, CAMBODIA (FEBRUARY 12, 2026) ) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BULLET HOLES AND SCRAPES ON TEMPLE WALL DEEP DENT ON TEMPLE STRUCTURE FROM WHAT THE CAMBODIAN AUTHORITIES SAY WERE CAUSED BY THAI ARTILLERY DEPUTY GENERAL OF NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR PREAH VIHEAR, PHENG SAM OEUN, INSPECTING DAMAGED SITE VARIOUS OF DAMAGES ON PREAH VIHAER TEMPLE  TEMPLE DOOR AND SURROU
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: ALDEN BIESEN RETREAT EU EU COMPETITIVENESS EU LEADERS RETREAT EUROBONDS PROTECTIONISM
  • Location: BILZEN, BELGIUM
  • City: BILZEN, BELGIUM
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: European Union,Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001483312022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday (February 12) said he does not want European protectionism but stressed that the European Union does need to be able to react to unfair trade practices.
       Merz along with other EU leaders had met earlier at a medieval castle east of Brussels, to find ways to cut energy costs and improve how the bloc's border-free internal market works so Europe's businesses can be competitive.
        "We don't want a new European protectionism, but we need to be able to defend ourselves against unfair trading practices," Merz said at a news conference after the meeting.
       Merz also reiterated his opposition to joint European debt issuance after the leaders agreed on commitments to improve how the bloc's border-free internal market works.
       "This morning I was very clear in what I said, that although there may be different opinions, I will not support the idea of euro bonds," said Merz.
       The European Commission will present in March a plan on how to proceed with this deepening of the European Union's single market of 450 million consumers, with the aim for leaders to agree on a concrete timetable.
       EU growth has persistently lagged that of the United States and China and EU productivity and innovation in   fields such as AI has fallen short, with the bloc also squeezed by tariffs and export curbs by its global rivals.
       A key question now will be whether the EU's 27 member states can overcome self-interest and implement a joint plan of action.
    (Production: Bart Biesemanns, Anna Lennon, Oliver Denzer and Ben Makori) 
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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