Germany must diversify trade partners beyond US-EU deal, says Chancellor Merz

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday urged Germany to seek new trade partners outside the framework of the recently agreed U.S.-EU deal, which imposes a 15% tariff on European goods.

Speaking at the government’s Open Day in Berlin, Merz questioned how global trade should proceed if the United States were unwilling to adhere to World Trade Organisation rules.

”We should search for partners in the world that share our thinking,” added Merz , leader of the conservative CDU party whose approval rating stands at 25% – level with Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) – according to an INSA poll published by newspaper Bild this weekend.

The July 28 trade framework was negotiated between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While Merz said Germany still needed strong economic ties with Washington, he suggested fresh opportunities could emerge in South America, Asia and Africa. “We must consistently pursue that path,” he added.

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Merz also said basic questions regarding social security systems needed to be addressed by the end of the year, arguing that the government must rein in welfare spending on employment, pension and health benefits.

”We have to make our social security systems fit for the future,” he said.

With inputs from agencies