27/08/2025 - Even a month after the EU-US trade agreement and the joint declaration, businesses are still in the dark about the future of the US trade relations. While a rough roadmap exists, the volatile trade policies of the United States persist. Recent months have revealed that uncertainties and unpredictability are detrimental to German businesses working in the US market. 

Businesses predominantly perceive the agreements reached so far as burdensome. They are calling for a stronger stance from the EU in future negotiations, even if it may impact their own businesses, according to a special analysis of the latest DIHK flash survey conducted in August. “In implementing the agreed points, the EU must uphold its regulatory autonomy and economic sovereignty and not jeopardise it for short-term trade deals,” says DIHK Head of Foreign Trade Volker Treier. 

The anticipated US tariff cuts in the automotive and metals sectors must now be swiftly implemented. Furthermore, easily verifiable origin rules are necessary to ensure legal certainty in international trade as soon as possible. Already, the US customs impose new bureaucratic requirements, complicating business for exporters. Additionally, a mechanism is needed to prevent future US tariff increases. “In a dire situation, the EU should consider countermeasures and negotiate robustly. The long-term goal remains the abolition of WTO-incompatible US tariffs,” Treier adds. 

“The latest trade policies of the US, aimed at isolation, are likely to backfire severely. Instead of fostering stable economic relations and an attractive investment environment, the US is increasingly associated with tariff chaos and an uncertain business climate. The US government's strategy to enforce reindustrialisation through protectionist measures like tariffs is not successful from the perspective of the German economy.” Rather than attracting new investments, it deters them: More than a quarter of companies with US operations have either put their investment plans in the US on hold or completely cancelled them. Donald Trump's tariff policies have led to growing uncertainty among German companies – regardless of whether they have US operations or not. “The tariffs harm the US economy more than they benefit it. The imposed import taxes will largely be borne by US customers. The majority of businesses with US operations pass on the additional tariff costs either in full or at least partially to their customers.” 

The German economy is also drawing structural conclusions from these developments: Companies are strategically reorienting towards other markets, especially within the European single market. This not only gains importance as a distribution market but also as a stable economic zone with reliable regulations. “For further negotiations with the US, German businesses demand a clear pro-European course,” says Treier. They urgently need solid infrastructure as well as reliable frameworks and planning security to steer investments and international business strategies effectively. 

Europe needs to act wisely and address its internal issues like excessive bureaucracy, including reporting requirements, to strengthen the competitiveness of the European single market. Companies urgently need bureaucratic relief, and especially now, trade agreements with key economic partners such as the MERCOSUR, India, or Indonesia are essential. Nonetheless, a comprehensive and robust agreement with the US on equal terms remains indispensable.  

More information can be found here (only available in German): Betriebe fordern klaren, pro-europäischen Kurs bei EU-US-Verhandlungen