German President Criticizes U.S. Foreign Policy, Warns Against Breakdown of Global Order

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has sharply criticized U.S. foreign policy, accusing it of undermining global stability and democracy. In a speech on January 8, 2026, Steinmeier condemned the United States' actions, including the ousting of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, and warned against the collapse of the world order into a "den of robbers."

Steinmeier emphasized that the U.S.'s behavior, particularly under former President Donald Trump, represented a historical rupture, highlighting the annexation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as key turning points. He noted that the world was at risk of descending into an environment where unscrupulous powers dominate, treating entire regions and countries as their own property.

Despite Germany's largely ceremonial presidential role, Steinmeier's remarks were significant, reflecting growing concerns about the erosion of shared democratic values. Public opinion in Germany also showed a shift, with 76% of Germans in a recent ARD survey expressing distrust towards the U.S., marking a notable decline from previous years. This comes as Europeans increasingly look to France and Britain for reliable alliances, while many Germans remain skeptical of NATO's security guarantees under U.S. leadership.