DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics When diplomacy meets reality: Germany's balancing act with Trump’s America
Jan 9, 2026
In this discussion, Thorsten Benner, founder of the Global Public Policy Institute, explores Germany's intricate balancing act amid a tumultuous U.S. political landscape. He highlights concerns over Trump's claim to be unconstrained by law, raising alarms for NATO and European stability. The conversation dives into Germany's measured response to U.S. actions in Venezuela and examines the erosion of the rules-based order. Benner urges Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities and assert its agency while navigating this new reality.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
US Leadership Disavows International Law
- The Trump administration openly rejects international law as a constraint on action.
- Thorsten Benner warns this produces a president who acts as a self-declared superpower guided only by his own morality.
Pragmatism Rooted In Vulnerability
- Germany's muted response mixes pragmatic acceptance and helplessness because of security dependence on the US.
- Thorsten Benner argues Europe must build independence to avoid being blackmailed.
Being Right Is Not Enough
- German leadership hesitates to publicly call out US law-breaking when Washington guarantees European security.
- Michaela Küfner says being 'right' under international law means little without leverage to enforce it.