D he German automakers are trying to avert a trade war with America by proposing to completely abolish tariffs on cars in trade between Europe and America. Richard Grenell, American ambassador to Germany, traveled to Washington this Wednesday with this “peace offer” from the auto industry “Wall Street Journal” , Grenell have on their own initiative some background and Vieraugengespräche with the bosses of BMW , Daimler and Volkswagen led, it is said.
The report fits in with the assessment of Frank Sportolari. The President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany (AmCham) said in Grenell in Stuttgart: “He listens. I hope that he will bring a picture to America that is a bit more nuanced. “The move was all the more significant as Grenell became a confidant of Donald Trump be. Nevertheless, Sportolari expressed skepticism at the opening of Global Connect: “We must try to avert the worst.”
Europe should be self-confident and willing to question its own customs policy, Nicola Hoffmeister-Kraut, the Minister of Economic Affairs of Baden-Württemberg, said in her opening remarks that she was particularly affected by a trade war: “Why not a G7 zone without tariffs? Just like Trump suggested. Our car industry is so competitive that it could withstand that. “Bernhard Mattes, president of the automobile industry association VDA, also advocated barrier-free trade,” with zero tariffs on my account “. He reminded that the German auto industry operates a total of 250 plants in America. 116500 people are employed there.
Sewing warns about the end of growth
Much more pessimistic expressed the former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer , He expressed concern that a transatlantic trade war could have “dramatic consequences for Germany”. The success of the German automaker moves emotional Trump: “There is something irrational behind it.” All the worse it was that the car industry is in a crisis of confidence, triggered by the “catastrophic nonsense” of some top managers. It would be important to have a better cohesion in Europe, Fischer hopes as before other speakers.
In Frankfurt, the head of Deutsche Bank, Christian Sewing, warned the EU against further escalation of the trade dispute. “A backlash in the same harsh way – I do not think that would be wise,” Sewing said. “Just shooting it would end global growth.”
The decision on additional duties on cars is not imminent, according to US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. The investigation is at an early stage, said Ross on Wednesday. President Trump has threatened German manufacturers with tariffs and corporations such as BMW or Daimler mentioned. Already in force are higher tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. The government in Washington formally establishes the step with national security and uses a 1962 law.