In a world marked by global upheaval and multicrises, the only way for us to uphold our core interests is through strong partnerships. Freedom, security and prosperity – these are the goals by which I am guided as Foreign Minister. And we as Germans and Europeans are closely linked to our natural partners on the continents of North and South America. That is why I am again visiting both on this trip.

The United States is and will remain our most important partner outside Europe. We stand together as allies in defending our freedom. Our Euro-Atlantic security decisively depends on us retaining our steadfast resolve within NATO in the future, too. It is for good reason that Putin’s Russia does not dare attack a NATO Member Country: our collective defence is effective. During talks with my counterpart Marco Rubio, I will discuss how, at next week’s NATO Summit in Ankara, we can achieve new burden-sharing within the Alliance, as well as stable, long-term support for Ukraine. Support that will make Moscow realise that the time has finally come to stop the killing in Ukraine and sit down at the negotiating table. Ukraine has for some time now been willing to make peace – and we Europeans are willing to provide all the support we can in this regard. With respect to Iran’s destabilising role in the Near and Middle East and beyond, we are united in working towards ensuring that the MoU between the US and Iran becomes a permanent and viable solution.

Iran’s risky strategy regarding the Strait of Hormuz illustrates that security policy and economic policy are inextricably linked. For a major economy like Germany, security and global influence also depend significantly on our economic strength. The more that global supply chains are impacted by trade conflicts and crises, the more economically strong, diverse and resilient we must become.

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement is a milestone for trade and presents tremendous growth potential for Germany and Europe. 31 robust democracies with a combined population of more than 700 million that account for 20% of global GDP are placing free trade over tariffs, and competition over protectionism. At the Mercosur Summit in Paraguay and during my talks in Argentina and Brazil, I want to explore how the world’s largest free trade area can generate growth and prosperity for both sides. The preparations have been put in place. German companies must now seize the opportunities they have in the Mercosur countries. That is why I will be accompanied by business representatives from the energy, security and defence, and raw materials sectors. Especially with regard to rare earths and critical minerals, we have the opportunity to diversify our supply chains via South America and at the same time to build sustainable supply chains. This, too, will be a focus of my talks in Argentina and Brazil.

Brazil and Germany are strategic partners. Only a few months ago, Brazil was the Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE, and intergovernmental consultations were held in this context. Brazil’s economy has immense potential for innovation, including in the field of sustainable transformation. We also want to work together to give even more of the country’s well-trained skilled workers access to our job market, as they are urgently needed here.

Our shared interests with Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil go beyond business. We all have liberal democratic societies and are firmly committed to a stable international order that is based on rules. Our ties extend deep into our respective societies: in parts of Argentina, nearly one-third of the population has German roots. In Brazil, German is the second most spoken language. Especially now that the World Cup is taking place on the American continent, our shared passion for football can be felt. I am therefore very much looking forward to having some time to play football with young players, during which I will be joined by the German-Brazilian footballer Cacau, who is travelling with me as sports ambassador. Together, we want to strengthen for the future those human and cultural connections that already tie our countries together.