Inaugural visit to the USA
Klingbeil’s speed dating in Washington
The Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister rushes through the US capital, less than 24 hours lasts Lars Klingbeil’s inaugural visit to Washington. Is that worth it?
Lars Klingbeil doesn’t have much time. Speaks a few sentences in the cameras, difficult times, a lot to discuss, search for dialogue. It continues.
Tuesday afternoon in the US capital, the inaugural visit of the Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance. Rather: short visit.
Klingbeil is less than 24 hours on site, rushes from appointment to appointment. Meeting with his US colleague, meeting the world bank manager. In between, opening photos, a short original sound. Speed dating in the US capital. In the evening we go back to Berlin.
Is that worth it? In Berlin, there are enough construction sites in front of the party leader Vice-Chancellor Minister. Judge election, household gap. However, one of the large construction sites has its origin in the building that Klingbeil has for its short camera statement in the back: the white house.
Lars Klingbeil at cloth feel
The “customs conflict” (Klingbeil) causes plenty of confusion and uncertainty in Europe and Germany. There are still a lot to spell on, the German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister, the rich green of the Lafayette Park under his feet.
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Most EU exports, many of them “made in Germany”, should apply in the future. However, many details are still unclear. For pharmaceutical products, semiconductors, the steel and auto industry. Everything is important for Germany and the upswing of the economy that the black-red federal government is trying to organize.
Klingbeil is here to get a feeling for the Americans for their view of things. Maybe your possible next steps. Under President Donald Trump, who maintains a moody and erratic political style, there is no easy undertaking. A “reliable basis for discussion” is important to him, says Klingbeil.
Klingbeil tries to build and stagger SCOTT Besser. The Secretary of Treasure, i.e.: US finance minister, is said to have a good connection to Trump, also a certain influence on the president. Bessent invited Klingbeil to Washington in May after the G7 Minister of Finance in Canada.
The two should understand each other well. Make calls every now and then, write SMS. Klingbeil apparently tries to build up to consolidate the wire with his visit. In any case, a quick visit to Washington was “very, very important”, the Vice Chancellor emphasizes, while behind him a huge US flag is blowing in the summer wind. After listing the German budget for 2026, the right time is now. Besser are appointed in the US Ministry of Finance at noon.
Does that bring what?
Nevertheless, some things are puzzling on this trip, including the time. Hardly anyone is there. Congress and the Senate are during the summer break, also Vice President JD Vance – Qua Office also counterpart from Vice Chancellor Klingbeil – was flown out. To England, in nature. Apparently he is back in Washington. Lunch appointment with US President Trump.
In addition, Klingbeil is only on the road with a small delegation, does not seek the big appearance, almost discreetly takes place in speed dating. Short original sound, rapid photo shoot. That’s it. The meetings take place behind closed doors, without an accompanying press. Please go on, there is nothing to see here? Specific results, such as in writing, are not to be expected on the trip. The EU Commission is responsible for the customs question anyway.
You can therefore ask what the meaning and purpose of such short visits is. Beyond symbolism, the beautiful pictures. Whether this is worth it or that time would not be better invested elsewhere. Especially since in the United States under Donald Trump, fixed appointments are always provided with a quiet question mark.
On the other hand: politics lives from personal exchange, also away from the cameras. This can result in a resilient ratio, i.e. what Germany is looking for with the USA. Klingbeil is now significantly less exposed when Chancellor Friedrich Merz was possible when he was visited in the Oval Office. Every statement, every move was interpreted.
The finance ministers have enough to discuss, Klingbeil also mentions the cooperation of the G7, i.e. the seven most important industrial nations, but also in the G20 format. The Americans take over the presidency in December. Not excluded that Trump could use this stage, even abuse in case of doubt to set an accent in his own warehouse. What is going on in Germany and the world? Are you put to the test of this US administration again?
Klingbeil does not have a guest gift for his counterpart, it is not the first meeting of the two. But a clear message that Klingbeil placed in the rich green within sight of the White House.
If everything is spelled out, Klingbeil says with a view to the US tariffs, the Europeans should sit down at a table again. “I think we were too weak,” he says. Greetings to Ursula von der Leyen, the commission president. One could not be satisfied with the results.
Europe has to ensure that it is a strong force, emphasizes Klingbeil. Then the United States can also counter the USA more confidently – of course in dialogue and not against the USA, he says. That has “lacked a little” in the past few weeks.
Klingbeil still has time for a few questions, then he has to go on.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
