German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has set his sights on the Gulf, opening a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with a clear message: Germany wants broader partnerships and fewer strategic blind spots.
The trip is part of Berlin’s push to loosen its reliance on the United States and China by building deeper ties with emerging power centres. Energy security and defence cooperation sit at the heart of the agenda, as Europe’s largest economy looks to spread its risks in a world increasingly shaped by big-power rivalry.
Merz framed the outreach as a practical necessity rather than a values-driven alliance. Countries do not need to agree on everything, he argued, as long as they accept the importance of trust, agreements and mutual respect. In a shifting global order, Germany wants a web of partners rather than a narrow set of dependencies.
The Gulf visit follows recent stops in India and earlier outreach to Brazil and South Africa, underscoring a wider strategy to diversify Germany’s global relationships. According to Merz, such networks reduce vulnerabilities, open new economic doors and create shared gains.
In Riyadh and beyond, Merz is seeking closer cooperation on energy supply and armaments, signalling that Berlin is now more open to defence exports than in the past. Preparations for this shift were already underway in Berlin, with economic policymakers softening long-standing restrictions.
Relations with Saudi Arabia cooled sharply after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Merz acknowledged some progress on human rights since then, while noting that unresolved concerns remain and would be raised during talks.
Gulf capital already has a significant footprint in Germany. Qatar ranks among the country’s largest foreign investors, with stakes spanning automotive manufacturing, energy utilities and global shipping — a reminder that economic ties are deeper than headline diplomacy.
Beyond trade and defence, Merz plans to discuss regional stability, including the long-term balance between Israel and the Palestinians. He argued that lasting peace would ultimately mean Israel being fully accepted as part of the region rather than treated as an outsider.
Iran is also high on Berlin’s list of concerns. Merz said Germany expects Tehran to end violence against its own population, abandon any military nuclear ambitions and stop activities that fuel instability across the Middle East.
Germany continues to count itself among Israel’s closest European partners, while Gulf states maintain more nuanced positions on Iran and regional conflicts. Merz’s Gulf tour reflects Berlin’s attempt to navigate those complexities — and to carve out a more independent role on the global stage.
