Angela Merkel: The new world order is 'in danger' for Trump

German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledges that "the world is under threat" due to the growing popularity of Donald Trump and other populist leaders

Speaking at the Davos World Economic Forum, the German prime minister said the growth of protectionism and the rejection of globalism is currently a growing problem across Europe and the United States. "Frankly, the country I have the honor to represent and where I am the chancellor - has difficulties. And polarization is something we see in our country, and something we have not had for decades, "Merkel said.

She attributes an increase in populism and polarization to the crisis in the eurozone and the migration crisis in Europe over the past few years, after the influx of refugees, but added that Germany will not be removed from the world stage. "Germany wants to be a country that contributes to solving problems in the world in the future, and we consider that if we exclude ourselves and isolate us, we will not have a good future. Protectionism is not the right answer, "she said.

Merkel was not the only state leader in Davos who criticized the protectionist and isolationist attitude towards world problems. Such comments that have appeared were directed to President Donald Trump who adopted rhetoric and the attitude "America first" in its foreign and economic policies.

"We have not learned a lesson from history"

On the contrary, Merkel said that the solution of world problems is seen in multilateral solutions instead of "unilateral and protectionist" action. At the beginning of her address, Merkel called for both world wars in the 20th century, saying that "political actors were involved almost asleep in a terrible situation." She also said there was a risk that the world did not learn lessons from history. She said that the foundation of the United Nations (UN) was a multilateral and cooperative solution that was born after the Second World War, adding that the multilateral response helped solve the global financial crisis 2008-2009.

• 26 Jan, 2018
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