The chancellor recalls that Germany will be of the nations that will most feel the effects of US tariffs because it is one of the most exporting states in Europe
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that the European Union (EU) could react “within an hour” to possible US tariffs against the EU-27.
“We are ready. Yes, it is the response with the greatest diplomatic caution and we can act within an hour as a European Union, ”he stressed in the first electoral debate face to face with his conservative rival, Friedrich Merz, in public broadcasters ZDF and ARD, for legislative elections February 23rd.
The social democrat recalled that trade policy is a community competence, adding: therefore, it is important that “while Europeans, we keep faithful to our common rules when the United States resort to tariff policies.”
Germany, he stressed, is a very strong nation in terms of exports and will suffer from American tariffs.
“This is why we depend on others to see ourselves as a supportive partner, not only in customs policy, but also in all other policies,” he said.
Most German exports in December went to the United States, although they fell 3.5% from November to 13.5 billion euros.
