In a joint press conference in Washington, United States President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have declared a unified front against “Russian aggression” from Moscow.
Speaking to news reporters, Merkel said that the US and Germany share the same values and “determination to tackle the challenges of our times”.
In turn, Biden said “We stand together and will continue to stand together to defend our eastern-flank allies at NATO against Russian aggression.”
Both leaders also addressed the ” Chinese threat,” pledging to “stand up for democratic principles and universal rights when they saw China or any other country working to undermine them.”
“There is a lot of common understanding that China, in many areas, is our competitor; that trade with China needs to rest on the assumption that we have a level playing field,” Merkel told reporters.
“We are united, united in our commitment to addressing democratic backsliding, corruption, phony populism in the European Union or among candidates for the EU membership, or anywhere we find it in the world,” Biden said.
On the other hand, Biden praised the German chancellor, who will soon step down after 16 years in office, as “a great friend, a personal friend and a friend of the United States”.
On a personal note, I must tell you I will miss seeing you at our summits,” Biden said to Merkel. “I truly will.”
Merkel, in turn, repeatedly referred to Biden as “Dear Joe”.
“I value friendship,” she told reporters while hailing the US and Germany as sharing the same values and “determination to tackle the challenges of our times”.