How Merz’s five-day Asia trip ended up being mostly about Europe

Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended his five-day Asia trip on Friday at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, where he reflected on Germany's history. He said, "Thoughts are running through my mind about how grateful we may be that in Germany we haven't had to experience this for 36 years."

The trip took Merz to Singapore, Japan and South Korea. According to the report, Asian capitals pressed him on security and trade cooperation.

Shortly before Merz visited the demilitarized zone, North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan. The report links Pyongyang's expanding missile capabilities to its cooperation with Russia. North Korea has sent soldiers to the Russian front in Ukraine for two years, and the report says it received combat experience and technology transfers in return.

Merz said, "There is no longer such a thing as unilateral security in the world, only collective security." He called for closer work with Japan, South Korea and Singapore on security policy and the defense industry.

Merz traveled with a large business delegation that included defense firms Airbus, Diehl Defense and Quantum-Systems. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke of a "premium partnership" with Germany.

In Tokyo, Merz said, "We are on the threshold of a new era." He warned that major powers are pursuing new policies and that international rules are eroding. He proposed a "global political alliance for rules-based trade" among medium-sized powers, including the EU, Asian nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mercosur. The report says he also suggested this alliance could help unblock appointments to the World Trade Organization's appellate body.

The trip also exposed friction. Asian countries protested planned "Made in Europe" rules for the car industry, which would restrict vehicle subsidies to cars made in the EU, Switzerland and the U.K. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told reporters he had asked Merz for support so Korea would be treated like EU member states. A similar complaint was voiced in Japan.