The rules-based world order "no longer exists", German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned at the Munich Security Conference. He stated that "our freedom is not guaranteed" in an era of big power politics and that Europeans must be ready to make "sacrifice". Merz admitted a "deep divide" has opened between Europe and the United States, referencing former US Vice-President JD Vance's critical speech a year ago. The conference backdrop includes US President Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland and impose tariffs on European imports. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of a "new era in geopolitics". Merz appealed to repair transatlantic trust but also revealed confidential talks with France on a joint European nuclear deterrent. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to become a "geopolitical power". The Russia-Ukraine war, West-China tensions, and a potential Iran-US nuclear deal are also on the agenda.