Talks with the United States need to take place immediately to ensure there is no no-win trade war, according to Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement on tariffs should be taken seriously. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Tuesday that Europe and Germany must seek talks with the US to avert a potential trade war. TASR informs about it based on a Reuters report.
Talks with the United States need to be held immediately to ensure there is no no-win trade war, Habeck said.
He also called on the European Union (EU) to be united after Trump promised high tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada.
A collective and self-confident reaction of the EU
Habeck, the Green Party’s candidate for chancellor in February’s snap election, believes that Germany and the EU are well prepared to work with the US. He warned Trump that tariffs are not a one-sided matter.
“We must and want to continue close cooperation with the USA. But if the new American administration plays hardball, we will react collectively and confidently as the European Union,” Habeck told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland radio station over the weekend.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of 60% on all Chinese goods and 25% on all goods from Mexico and Canada. In the election campaign, he also promised tariffs on imports from the EU, which would hit German exporters hard.
Meanwhile, Germany is struggling with a weak economy and its prospects have worsened after Trump’s election victory. Analysts have already cut forecasts for the country and several companies have announced massive layoffs.
Trump will be inaugurated for his second term on January 20.
