Dispute over tariffs
Trump confidant Grenell attacks Christian Lindner – who counters
Trump advisor Richard Grenell exchanges blows with Finance Minister Christian Lindner. He had previously warned the USA of the consequences of a trade war.
Trouble between Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and the former US ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, on the X platform: Lindner warned of a trade war between the US and Europe if Donald Trump were re-elected. Trump confidant Grenell didn’t want to let that happen.
On Friday, Lindner said on US broadcaster that there could be retaliation if the US starts a trade war with the EU. “There are no winners in trade conflicts, only losers,” he said.
Trump expressed the idea of imposing blanket tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on almost all imports if elected. This could have a significant impact on the gross domestic product of the EU and Germany.
Richard Grenell calls Christian Lindner “naive”
“In this case, we would have to make diplomatic efforts to convince the person who moves into the White House that a trade conflict with the European Union is not in the interests of the USA. Then we would also have to think about retaliatory measures,” said Lindner.
Grenell reacted sharply and called Lindner “naive.” He claimed that German business leaders would not approve of their finance minister speaking like that. German CEOs regularly contacted President Trump and his team to show that they valued his policies and wanted to work with him, Grenell wrote.
German CEOs want US tariffs on German products? This would be a big surprise… just give me one name, Richard. Shouldn’t we continue the transatlantic cooperation? We’re allies! CL
— Christian Lindner (@c_lindner) October 25, 2024
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Lindner’s counterattack didn’t take long to arrive: “German CEOs want US tariffs on German products? That would be a big surprise… Just give me one name, Richard. Shouldn’t we continue transatlantic cooperation? We’re allies!”
Economists warn of Trump’s election victory
A few weeks ago, economists from the Ifo Institute and Econpol Europe warned that a Trump election victory could have significant consequences for the already battered German industry. If he implements his election promise of higher import tariffs after his return to the White House, German exports to the USA could collapse by almost 15 percent. Trump has announced tariffs of 60 percent on US imports from China and 20 percent on imports from the rest of the world. This would make German products significantly more expensive in the USA. The automotive and pharmaceutical industries would be particularly affected.
The US investment bank Goldman Sachs also predicts a fall in the value of the euro if Trump wins the US presidential election. Far-reaching tariffs and tax cuts could put the European common currency under pressure.
Further sources: DPA and Reuters news agency
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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.
