"For some ‌weeks now, we ​have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers. Rough winds are blowing in this ‍world, and we will feel their effects for the foreseeable future," Merz told MPs. In recent weeks, "we have been able to experience something of the joy of self-respect", he said, adding that rules-based action and rules-based trade were not dead. "Last week, we demonstrated that we in the ​EU can act swiftly when necessary. ​​We were united in our determination not to be intimidated by tariff threats again," Merz said.