Economic policy Merz in favor of a new attempt at free trade with the USA
CDU/CSU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of a new attempt at a transatlantic free trade agreement. "We need a positive agenda with the USA," the CDU leader told the German Press Agency.
02.01.2025, 05:00
SDA
An agenda that benefits American and European consumers alike, Merz said, emphasizing: "A new European-American initiative for joint free trade could prevent a dangerous spiral of tariffs."
Negotiations between the EU and the USA on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the acronym TTIP were halted by Trump in 2017 at the beginning of his first term in office and have been on hold ever since.
Merz made it clear that he expects tougher conditions for the European economy when the new US government takes office. We would probably have to be prepared for America looking out for itself, as announced by Trump, and protecting its own interests - for example with high import tariffs. "But our response to this should not be to start imposing tariffs now."
