Key Points
- Germany’s main trade lobby is warning against a “deal at any price” with the U.S.
- The warning comes as the EU rushes to make a deal before a U.S. tariff deadline on August 1.
- German exports to the U.S., its biggest trading partner, are already falling sharply due to the trade conflict.
- The trade group insists any agreement must be fair for all of Europe, not just a quick fix.
The head of a major German trade group is sending a clear message to European leaders: don’t rush into a bad trade deal with the United States just to avoid new tariffs. Dirk Jandura, who leads Germany’s BGA trade lobby, said on Thursday that German exporters are not interested in a “deal at any price.”
The warning comes as the European Commission scrambles to reach an agreement with the U.S. before the August 1 deadline set by President Donald Trump.
If no deal is reached, Europe could face broad tariff increases on its goods. Jandura insisted that any deal must be fair and reflect the interests of all of Europe, not just a quick fix to a political problem.
The situation is already serious. The United States is Germany’s biggest trading partner, but the threat of tariffs is taking a toll. German exports to the U.S. have dropped significantly in recent months. Jandura described the situation in foreign trade as “dramatic and threatening to get worse,” saying the effects of Trump’s tariff policy are becoming clearer every day.
So, what’s the solution? According to Jandura, Europe needs to strengthen its single market. A more unified European market would give the EU a stronger hand in negotiations and help absorb the economic shock of any tariffs. He also called for Europe to pursue new trade agreements with other countries to reduce its dependence on the U.S. market.
