Angela Dorothea Merkel · "Multilateralism is the only viable path for global cooperation. [...] National..."

Address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York (September 25, 2018). · Checked on 28 February 2026

Multilateralism is the only viable path for global cooperation. [...] Nationalism and isolationism will not get us anywhere.

Analysis

The quoted statement matches the **official UN transcript** of Merkel’s September 25, 2018, address, where she explicitly argued that 'multilateralism is the only viable path' and warned against 'nationalism and isolationism.' Her position aligns with her tenure as German Chancellor (2005–2021), during which she consistently championed international institutions like the UN, EU, and WTO while opposing protectionist or unilateral policies. The claim is **verbatim** and contextually accurate, with no evidence of misrepresentation. Independent media (e.g., *Deutsche Welle*, *Reuters*) and scholarly analyses confirm this as a core tenet of her foreign policy.

Background

Merkel’s 2018 UN speech occurred amid rising global tensions over trade wars (e.g., U.S.-China tariffs), Brexit, and populist movements in Europe. Her remarks were part of a broader defense of the post-WWII liberal international order, which she framed as essential for addressing climate change, migration, and economic stability. This stance contrasted sharply with the 'America First' policies of the Trump administration at the time.

Verdict summary

Merkel’s 2018 UNGA statement accurately reflects her long-standing advocacy for multilateralism and criticism of nationalism, corroborated by official transcripts and policy records.

Sources consulted

— United Nations General Assembly (2018). *Official Record: 73rd Session, 5th Plenary Meeting* (A/73/PV.5). [https://undocs.org/en/A/73/PV.5](https://undocs.org/en/A/73/PV.5)

— Deutsche Welle (2018). *Merkel at UN: Nationalism is not the answer to global problems*. [https://www.dw.com/en/merkel-at-un-nationalism-is-not-the-answer-to-global-problems/a-45625003](https://www.dw.com/en/merkel-at-un-nationalism-is-not-the-answer-to-global-problems/a-45625003)

— Reuters (2018). *Merkel warns U.N. against nationalism, says world order under threat*. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-merkel/merkel-warns-u-n-against-nationalism-says-world-order-under-threat-idUSKCN1M51ZJ](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-merkel/merkel-warns-u-n-against-nationalism-says-world-order-under-threat-idUSKCN1M51ZJ)

— Bulmer, S. & Paterson, W. (2019). *Germany and the European Union: Europe’s Reluctant Hegemon?* (Palgrave Macmillan). DOI: [10.1007/978-3-030-02573-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02573-7)