On Wednesday, the German government dismissed calls for a boycott of American products, despite ongoing disputes over tariffs, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining strong trade relations.
European Union officials are working to alleviate tensions with the United States and avert a potential trade war as President Donald Trump initiates a tariff strategy that may provoke retaliatory actions.
“The German government values its relationship with the United States and is dedicated to fostering positive trade ties. We are making every effort to achieve this,” stated government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit during a press briefing.
“We do not require additional trade barriers; rather, we need to reduce them,” he added, expressing disagreement with the boycott proposals.
This sentiment aligns with a warning from the head of Germany’s BGA association, which represents importers and exporters. He characterized a boycott of U.S. goods as a “misguided reaction” to political disputes that could escalate into a cycle of retaliation.
“We should not exacerbate an already complicated situation. Instead of engaging in boycotts, tariffs, and counter-tariffs, we ought to pursue dialogue with the United States regarding future transatlantic trade issues,” remarked BGA president Dirk Jandura.
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According to data from the statistics office, Germany’s trade surplus with the U.S. reached a record high of 70 billion euros ($75.49 billion) last year.
However, the deterioration of trade and security relations between the United States and its traditional European allies has led to some calls within Europe to substitute U.S. products with locally made alternatives, mirroring similar initiatives in Canada.
A forum on the social media platform Reddit, titled “BuyFromEU,” has garnered 189,000 members discussing alternatives to American brands.
Last month, U.S. automaker Tesla experienced a decline in its market share in Europe, impacted by heightened competition and the region’s economic slowdown. As well as CEO Elon Musk’s support for far-right parties in Europe, including Germany, which has drawn criticism.
German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies is visiting the United States this week to engage in discussions with his American counterpart. As well as representatives from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
