Merkel Warns of ‘Poison’ of Populism in Call for European Stance
- German leader’s Davos speech counters U.S. on free trade
- Cites 20th-century wars as lesson that nationalism won’t work
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against the “poison” of populism that makes nations turn inward, telling the World Economic Forum her goal is to strengthen joint policy making in Europe and uphold free trade.
Addressing the global elite in Davos, Switzerland, two days before U.S. President Donald Trump, Merkel acknowledged that her own country is increasingly polarized and said there’s a need to “take everyone with us” who feels left behind by globalization. Citing the lessons of 20th-century economic conflicts and war, she said nationalism and protectionism aren’t the answer.