Russia’s war against Ukraine, tensions between Israel and the Arab world and trade disputes between China and the United States are threatening globalization. Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz seek to combat this trend by uniting the world through trade. On August 25, the two pleaded with European businesses to strengthen their global ties, including those with dictatorships.

In recent years, the two former politicians have been in the business of advising businesses. In a roundtable discussion in Kitzbühel, Austria, hosted by the Grow, the two discussed “The Rise of Global Market Leaders and Necessary Change.”

The discussion centered around the fear that Germany, Austria and other European nations might lose the competitive edge and what Europeans need to do to become “world market leaders, inventors and doers again.” The discussion on entrepreneurship was moderated by Vaya Wieser-Weber.

Kurz recently visited Hungary and praised its economy and future-oriented mindset. “Hungary is a country that has developed well and still has a lot of potential,” he told Hungarian newspaper Mandiner. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed Kurz as if he were still Austria’s chancellor, posing with a handshake before the countries’ flags. During his visit, he also encountered Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

As a high-profile representative of businesses, Kurz gets the presidential treatment. His visit embodies the kind of actions the roundtable discussion promotes: more travel, more dialogue and more understanding for the trading partners’ view.

Hungary has taken a different course than most other countries in the European Union, openly maintaining relations with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. Orbàn is also accused of undermining the rule of law in his country. In the roundtable discussion, Kurz dismissed criticism about his visit.

Kurz has been working for U.S. tech investor Peter Thiel as a “global strategist” since the end of 2021. He spends the majority of his time in the Middle East, often in Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The United Arab Emirates is not known for democratic values, but Kurz believes it is important to expand trade relations with the nation and bring it closer to Israel.

Kurz and Guttenberg praised the U.S. initiative of the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab countries. Since Nov. 14, 2022, Kurz has been on the Honorary Advisory Council of the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, founded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump.

Guttenberg, who has been friends with Kurz for years and advised the young Austrian politician during his career as foreign minister, sees the world much like his younger friend.

Like Kurz, Guttenberg condemned the U.S. sentiment of decoupling from China, advocating educational trips and cultural experiences to China and other countries. The two agreed that a good geopolitical understanding is vital for good relations. Guttenberg also recommended that business leaders read publications like the Financial Times and China Daily.

Guttenberg and Kurz believe that close ties to the U.S. and Israel need to be supplemented with close ties to their perceived enemies. They believe meetings, agreements and trade will make our world a better place.

Lastly, Guttenberg encouraged business leaders to take pride in what they already have achieved. He gave a shout-out to the German start-up BioNTech, a critical partner in the innovation and production of the Pfizer/BioNTech covid-19 vaccine.

Kurz and Guttenberg are some of the most visionary leaders of Europe. They want to see a European superstate unite the world.

The Bible reveals the efforts of these leaders will be successful. Psalm 83 recounts an alliance with Middle Eastern countries and Europe. Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 27 show Europe will also have a trade alliance with nations like Russia, China and Japan.

These prophesies are for our day, as the context of these passages shows, and they connect with yet another prophecy in Revelation 17 that speaks of the rise of 10 like-minded leaders in Europe who will unite for a short time before the return of Jesus Christ (verse 14).

Even though some of these leaders may have the best intentions, the Bible warns that the intentions of the leader of this rising empire will suddenly change: “Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god” (Habakkuk 1:11).

As our article “The Great ‘Mart of Nations’” explains, the alliance prophesied in Isaiah 23 will turn against the nations of Israel (the United States, Britain and the Jewish nation in the Middle East).. Psalm 83 specifically warns about a conspiracy against Israel.

European leaders are building these alliances today, including Israel and the United States in them. But Bible prophecy warns that because of sin, these alliances will lead to Israel’s downfall.

Read A Strong German Leader Is Imminent, by Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry, to understand how and why world events are about to take a sudden turn.