Ambassador Peter Wittig discusses “Transatlantic Relations in a World in Turmoil.”

“The U.S. was at the heart of the foundation of our second democracy,” Ambassador Peter Wittig, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States, said of the inextricable relationship between the U.S. and Germany.

The Ambassador spoke at a Future of Diplomacy Project conversation with students, moderated by the Project's Executive Director, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook on September 15, 2017. He reflected on the stability of transatlantic relations in a challenging, international environment.

German-American relations have changed under U.S. President Trump, the Ambassador said. The U.S. President’s “America First” agenda and view of trade as zero-sum, as well as disagreements on climate protection policy, were examples of critical differences between the partner nations under the new Administration. Still, Ambassador Wittig was optimistic, as collaboration on terrorist prevention (including in the anti-ISIL coalition) continued — and the trade relationship remained strong and functional for now.

Maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States meant more than just the traditional contacts between key actors in nations’ capitals. To reflect the size and scale of the United States to Germans and vice versa required engaging broadly in the country. The craft of diplomacy had to change in the 21st century, the Ambassador said: “No more smoke-filled backrooms... [We] have to open up to the public.” Today, diplomats need to reach capitals and society at large. There is a greater need to speak to American citizens directly, he noted, explaining why he now welcomed every opportunity to appear in American media outlets, whether in writing or broadcast. Diplomatic engagement gained new avenues. At the same time, traditional contacts to the corridors of power continued. “Politically, there is no reason to fear,” Ambassador Wittig said, and described how he and his team had represented Germany’s interests to the U.S. Congress recently as Congress drafted the sanctions package on Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korean governments. The allied relationship between the United States and Germany ensured that this conversations remained at the core of diplomatic protocol.

Ultimately, German Federal elections on September 24, 2017 determine Germany’s foreign policy priorities. Ambassador Wittig noted that Germany had a “unique chance” to lead internationally. “The Western World Order is under stress. Germany has to punch in our weight class, not below.” Joining the French, and in a European Union without Britain, Ambassador Wittig paraphrased Chancellor Merkel: “Germany and the EU must take our fate into our own hands.” The changing relationships in Europe and across the Atlantic are - as Ambassador Wittig saw them - opportunities for Germany to lead in Europe and globally.