Trump's New Tariffs Will Deal a Serious Blow to German Exports

"These will deal a serious blow to German exports," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in an interview with ARD television. US President Donald Trump plans to impose a 30 percent tariff on European goods starting August 1.

The politician added that if this happens, Berlin will have to “push back” much of its economic policy efforts, "as it will overshadow everything else," reports DW.

However, he hopes that Europe will manage to reach an agreement with Washington before the beginning of August. Otherwise, he, like French President Emmanuel Macron, will support imposing retaliatory mass tariffs.

Donald Trump himself has insisted that if the EU raises trade tariffs in response, Washington will act symmetrically.