It’s not every day a world leader comes to your college campus. As a Harvard student and supporter of strong U.S.-European relations, I was excited to hear this year’s commencement address from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. With President Trump’s persistent undermining of the trans-Atlantic alliance, and European cohesion facing threats from both Chinese aggression and rising nationalism, Merkel’s speech presented an extraordinary opportunity. She could have challenged Trump and offered a bold vision to revitalize the Western alliance.

Her speech, however, missed the mark.