Merz Says 30% US Tariffs Would Hit German Industry to ‘Core’
(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said US President Donald Trump’s threat of 30% tariffs would hit exporters in Europe’s largest economy “to the core,” if a negotiated solution in the trade conflict can’t be found in the coming weeks.
Most Read from Bloomberg
-
Why Did Cars Get So Hard to See Out Of?
-
How German Cities Are Rethinking Women’s Safety — With Taxis
-
Philadelphia Reaches Pact With Workers to End Garbage Strike
The European Union will extend the suspension of trade countermeasures against the US until Aug. 1 to allow for further talks after Trump threatened a new 30% tariff rate against the bloc over the weekend.
If that were to happen, Germany’s government may need to postpone parts of its economic policy efforts, Merz told ARD public broadcaster in an interview in Sunday. “That would overshadow everything, and hit the German export industry to the core.”
Merz said he was coordinating closely with other EU leaders to ensure tariffs of such magnitude don’t go ahead.
“That requires two things: unity in the European Union and good lines of communication with the American president,” the conservative leader added.
Asked if Germany supports counter-tariffs against the US, Merz replied: “Yes, but not before Aug. 1.” The chancellor said he’d discussed the matter intensively over the weekend with both French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, in addition to a call with Trump on Friday.
“We want to use this time now, these two and a half weeks until Aug. to find a solution,” Merz said. “I am really committed to this.”
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
-
‘Our Goal Is to Get Their Money’: Inside a Firm Charged With Scamming Writers for Millions
-
Trump’s Cuts Are Making Federal Data Disappear
-
Trade War? No Problem—If You Run a Trade School
-
Soccer Players Are Being Seriously Overworked
-
Will Trade War Make South India the Next Manufacturing Hub?
©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
