19/11/2025 - “German industries have high hopes for closer collaboration between the EU and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - CPTPP). Uniting these 39 nations would send a desperately needed signal for preserving rules-based global trade. Together, the EU and the trading alliance CPTPP as a Coalition of the Willing could stabilize the multilateral trade system and ideally prevent its collapse.

The United States' new high-tariff policy and bilateral 'deals' are putting significant pressure on the World Trade Organization (WTO). They undermine key WTO principles, which serve as the foundation upon which German companies plan their foreign trade: reliable rules, fair competition conditions, and open markets. It is now more crucial than ever for other countries not to follow this course.

A “standstill agreement,” where the EU and the Trans-Pacific Partnership commit to WTO laws and principles such as Most Favoured Nation treatment among themselves while refraining from imposing unlawful tariffs, would restore the much-needed planning reliability for businesses. In other areas too, the EU should intensify cooperation with the Trans-Pacific Partnership – for instance, in defining future digital standards or aligning measures in industrial and subsidy policies.

Bilateral negotiations between the EU and Australia on a trade agreement should also now swiftly conclude. This would provide German companies locally with better market opportunities and improved access to raw materials.”