Wadephul: Free trade benefits 'no other country' more than Germany
Germany benefits from free trade more than any other country in the world, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday.
Amid disruptions to trade due to US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, Wadephul said countries around the world are showing increased interest in trade deals with the European Union, which is seen as a "reliable partner."
Speaking at a trade event for the agricultural industry in Berlin, Germany's top diplomat said the EU must take advantage of new opportunities to extend partnerships.
He singled out the trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc - which includes Argentina, Brazil, Parguay and Uruguay - as well as deals with Indonesia, Australia, India and Thailand.
Negotiations over trade deals will always raise questions among German consumers and business leaders, Wadephul said.
"Will the quality of my food still be guaranteed if the steaks come from Brazil and Argentina? What does competition from abroad mean for our small and medium-sized enterprises?"
The government takes the population's concerns seriously, he said. However, "no country in the world benefits as much from open markets and trade as Germany."
Germany's export-driven economy is likely to be deeply affected by US tariffs, if ongoing negotiations between the European Union and Washington fail to produce a deal.
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