Germany’s Green Party is escalating pressure on the federal government to publicly condemn the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela and to proactively prepare for a potential decline in the significance of the transatlantic relationship. A forthcoming motion, slated for approval by the Green Party faction this Tuesday and detailed in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, accuses the current government of exhibiting undue deference to Washington while failing to adequately address evolving geopolitical realities.
The motion argues that Germany’s commitment to “transatlantic values” necessitates a more assertive stance, particularly in the face of perceived intimidation tactics employed by President Trump and his administration. It insists that Berlin must confidently articulate and defend its own interests and values, rather than shying away from confrontation. While acknowledging the potential for continued cooperation with the United States where deemed beneficial, the document champions a “fair basis” and a pragmatic assessment of future partnerships.
Crucially, the Green Party is urging the government to pursue a more concerted effort toward strategic independence for Germany and Europe. This includes developing a pan-European “Transatlantic Strategy” that explicitly accounts for the altered political landscape in the United States and defines measures aimed at bolstering European resilience and autonomy – all while acknowledging the increasingly precarious nature of the transatlantic alliance.
The motion directly challenges the German government’s previously muted response to the United States’ actions in Venezuela, unequivocally labeling them as a violation of international law. It calls for coordinated action with European partners to formulate “appropriate consequences” in response, referencing concerns over Washington’s overtures to other allies, such as Denmark regarding Greenland.
Critics within the Green Party argue that the government’s approach to President Trump has been characterized by “restraint and strategic appeasement” a tactic they contend ultimately exacerbates dependencies and increases vulnerability to coercion. Deborah Düring, the Green Party’s foreign policy spokesperson, criticized the government’s response as a form of “reality denial” warning that attempts to avoid confrontation while Trump destabilizes the international order are dangerously misguided.
Düring emphasized the need for a firm and assertive response to President Trump, insisting that a coherent political strategy is required to address what she describes as the coalition government’s leadership vacuum on critical foreign policy issues. The motion represents a deliberate attempt to force a more robust and independent German foreign policy approach in a rapidly shifting global order.
