The federal government is concerned about the economic effects of possible US tariffs of 25 percent of steel and aluminum. Customs would hit the German export -oriented economy, a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Economics told journalists in Berlin. The EU and the federal government continued to commit themselves to this that it does not happen. At the same time, preparations were made in the event of cases.
“The whole thing is known from the scenario from President Trump’s first term,” said the spokesman. At that time there had also been US tariffs on steel and aluminum compared to the EU. The EU had reacted to US products such as jeans, bourbon whiskey, motorcycles and peanut butter. The spokesman pointed out that the EU then managed to communicate with Trump, so that the tariffs had been suspended again.
When asked whether possible countermeasures could again meet US products such as motorcycles or whiskey this time, the spokesman said that there was no automatism that would work out of the last time. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said, “I think it would now not be wise to say exactly what is planned”. He also referred to the responsibility of the EU in trade issues. What is decided will be communicated in Brussels and not in Berlin.