Germany is actively seeking a trade agreement with the United States and is prepared to take retaliatory measures.

Germany: Striving for a trade agreement with the US, but prepared for massive retaliation!

German Chancellor Merkel and Finance Minister Lindner have made statements regarding the US imposing a 30% tariff on EU imports, outlining Germany's position on this dispute.

Firstly, Germany urges both sides to ease tensions and quickly resolve the trade dispute through negotiations, aiming to find a solution before August 1st. Lindner stated: "The US policy is only a loser, and it poses a threat to the US economy at least as much as it does to European companies. This is why the trade conflict must stop. Now no one needs new threats or provocations; instead, we need further serious and targeted negotiations between the EU and the US. Europe remains united and resolute: we hope to reach a fair agreement."

Merkel also expressed the same stance: "Last weekend, I had positive discussions with Macron and European Commission President von der Leyen, and on Friday, I also had a discussion with the US President. We hope to find a solution within the next two and a half weeks before August 1st."

Secondly, Germany is prepared for the possibility of negotiation failure and supports taking massive retaliatory actions against the US. Lindner emphasized that the German government is not planning to back down.

"If a fair solution cannot be found through negotiations, we must take strong countermeasures to protect European jobs and companies. Europe needs to continue preparing for countermeasures."

Merkel also pointed out that, like French President Macron, he supports imposing large-scale retaliatory tariffs on US imports, unless circumstances change.

Merkel acknowledged that if an agreement is not reached, it will have a significant impact on the German economy: "If this happens, we will have to put a large part of our efforts in economic policy on the back burner, as this will overshadow everything else and cause a heavy blow to Germany's export sector."

Lindner announced that Germany will expand its trade relations with other countries: "At the same time, we must continue to strengthen our global trade relationships with other countries. We will also discuss free and rule-based trade at the G20 finance ministers' meeting in South Africa this week."

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837563860403200/

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