London, Berlin – German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Europeans to “take their destiny into their own hands,” considering that the times in which Europeans could fully count on others are somewhat over, in a sign to the US and the UK.

Speaking at a campaign event in Munich, Merkel said: “We need to know we must fight for our own future, as Europeans, for our destiny,” adding that “the times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days.”

Merkel was referring to relations with the US, which were shaken during the last visit of US President Donald Trump to Europe.

Merkel said it was important to remain on friendly terms with the US and the UK “wherever that is possible.”

During his first official trip overseas, Trump rejected supporting the NATO principle of mutual defense and had also described Germany’s trade as “bad, and very bad,” according to Der Spiegel newspaper.

Later, during the G-7 meetings in Sicily, Trump also refused to abide by the Paris climate accord to reduce global carbon emissions and said in a tweet that he will make a decision on whether his country will abide by the 2015 agreement.

On Saturday, Merkel said she was not pleased following the G-7 meetings, particularly on the issue of climate change, saying that talks were “very unsatisfactory.”

She said: “The whole discussion on the topic of climate was very difficult, not to say very unsatisfactory.”

Meanwhile, Reuters stated on Sunday that as Trump headed home, European officials were left with mixed feelings:
relief that he had been patient enough to listen to their arguments and unsettled by a Jekyll-and-Hyde figure who is still finding his way on the big policy issues.

“It all fits with his strategic ambiguity approach to life,” Julianne Smith of the Centre for a New American Security told the news agency.

“It may do wonders when dealing with adversaries. But it doesn’t work when dealing with allies,” she said.