German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies has warned of possible negative consequences from the new tariffs announced by the United States but expressed hope that Berlin and Washington could mitigate their impact through negotiations.
In an interview with DW, Kukies emphasized that the upcoming trade duties would affect not only Europe but also American consumers. According to him, the new tariffs will lead to higher car prices in the U.S., including for vehicles produced by German automakers within the country.
Nevertheless, the German finance minister hopes that the announcement of tariffs will create room for discussions. He noted that Berlin is seeking “partnership negotiations” with the Trump administration and advocates for a constructive dialogue.
Kukies also mentioned an initiative by Germany’s future governing coalition to establish a free trade zone between the U.S. and the European Union. In his view, the best way to achieve a fair trade balance is the complete elimination of tariffs.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to officially announce the introduction of new large-scale tariffs on goods from the country’s key trading partners.
The American leader has called his initiative “Liberation Day,” stating that the tariff policy will bring jobs back to the U.S. and generate trillions of dollars in new federal revenue.
