“Just as I believe there will be no going back in relations with Russia before February 24, 2022, so too do I believe there will be no going back in transatlantic relations before January 20, 2025,” Steinmeier said, according to prepared remarks.
Germany must apply lessons learned from reducing “excessive dependencies” on Russia to its relationship with the United States, particularly in defence and technology, he said at a foreign office event in Berlin on Tuesday.
Read: ‘Not our war,’ Europe tells Trump
As president, Steinmeier’s role is largely ceremonial, though he influences public debate as the country’s head of state. Germany has increasingly emphasised building alternatives to US-dominated technology amid concerns over data access and influence.
“We know that this technological lead means not only foreign policy power, but also the power to influence our domestic politics through digital platforms and social media,” he said. Steinmeier added that a recent dispute between the Pentagon and AI firm Anthropic over safety guardrails could serve as a wake-up call — or an opportunity — for Europe.
“Europe as a technology hub has talent, markets, opportunities and, importantly, ethical standards. We should build on these,” he said.