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Merz Seeks New Strategic Partnerships During Three-State Gulf Visit
Merz aims to reduce Germany's 94% U.S. LNG dependence by securing long-term supply deals and expanding defense and industrial cooperation with key Gulf states.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz begins a three-day Gulf trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to diversify energy supplies, find new markets, and discuss defense cooperation with a large business delegation.
- A clash over contract length — Gulf suppliers seeking long deals while Germany prefers shorter ones — has stalled projects, with LNG accounting for about 13% of imports and about 94% from the US, Susanne Nies said.
- Interest in defence hardware, such as the Airbus A400M, signals possible arms cooperation, with some projects kept confidential ahead of the visit, DW's Michaela Köfner reports, according to Stefan Kornelius.
- The German government signals greater flexibility toward Gulf states, which could ease arms exports and energy deals amid regional security concerns, including Iran tensions.
- Concerns about past US energy leverage and tariff threats underline why Germany views diversification as a security priority, urging reliance on Middle East energy exporters plus Norway, Canada, and Australia.
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70 Articles
70 Articles
Friedrich Merz left on Wednesday for a trip to the Gulf region – and visited three autocracies. But criticism doesn't have to fear Merz. For good reason.
·Germany
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Friedrich Merz travels to Saudi Arabia. The main topic is the stability of the region, but it is also about economic cooperation – and more energy supply.
Human rights, military, billion-dollar deals: diplomatic stumbling blocks await him during Friedrich Merz's inaugural visit to the Gulf.
·Berlin, Germany
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On his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Merz wants to talk about arms business.
·Munich, Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources70
Leaning Left7Leaning Right10Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution49% Center
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center
L 21%
C 49%
R 30%
Factuality
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