04/02/2025April 2, 2025What have German leaders said about a trade war with the US?
Donald Trump’s tariff plans have drawn a critical response from German leaders, as the new US tariffs on cars are likely to hit the German auto industry hard.
Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on cars was wrong. “The US has chosen a path at whose end lie only losers, since tariffs and isolation hurt prosperity for everyone,” he added.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck has urged European leaders not to cave in to Trump. “It is now important for the EU to give a firm response to the tariffs — it must be clear that we will not back down in the face of the US. Strength and self-confidence are what is needed,” Habeck wrote on X.
“And at the same time, we will continue to support the European Commission in negotiations to find a solution with the US that averts a tariff spiral,” he added.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has sharply criticized Trump and warned of consequences due to his trade policy.
“Anyone who uses a wrecking ball to tear down an entire house just because the roof needs retiling is left with ruins that cannot be easily rebuilt,” Baerbock said.
Germany’s main industry association, the BDI, has also warned against a spiralling of tariffs. Wolfgang Niedermark, member of the executive board of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), said that the European Commission must continue to focus on a negotiated solution with the US, knowing Europe’s strategic strengths.
“A spiral of tariffs and countertariffs will further increase the damage caused by the US measures,” Niedermark said.