Interview: Merz hopes for transatlantic free trade agreements

The next Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to be in the customs dispute with the USA for a transatlantic free trade zone without any tariffs. It was a mistake not to bring the large free trade agreement TTIP over the finish line, the CDU politician told the “Handelsblatt”. “And yes, I hope for a new transatlantic free trade agreement. Null percent inches on everything. That would be better for both sides.”

Negotiations between the EU and the USA about a comprehensive trade and investment agreement with the abbreviation TTIP were stopped by US President Donald Trump in 2017 at the beginning of his first term and have been on hold since then.

Merz said that a solution would be found with Trump if the common interests serve. The EU had to speak to one voice, show itself and confidently represent its interests. The CDU leader had already promoted a free trade agreement with the United States in the election campaign.

Trump’s consultant, the tech billionaire Elon Musk, had also spoken out in the customs dispute for a transatlantic free trade zone without tariffs. Trump had launched a far -reaching customs package, which trading partner unsettled all over the world and sent the stock exchanges on a downfield. Shortly afterwards, the US President rowed back and exposed certain tariffs for 90 days. During the customs break, there should be negotiations with the states concerned.