22.09.2026 - "When Washington and Beijing negotiate trade, raw materials, and key technologies, the German economy is directly impacted. It is critical for the EU not to remain paralysed, but to purposefully advocate for its foreign trade interests. The USA and China are two of our most important trading partners – a relaxation of tensions between the two sides can provide companies in international business with more planning security; however, a renewed escalation between these economic giants would severely affect the German economy.

Progress in export controls imposed by China and the USA is particularly important. Even now, restrictions on critical raw materials, semiconductors, and key technologies complicate international trade and supply chains. Further tightening could seriously affect German companies. Rare earths and permanent magnets, in particular, demonstrate how vulnerable European supply chains are due to high dependencies.

Europe must not remain a mere spectator in trade conflicts between Washington and Beijing. The EU holds significant influence: strengthening the internal market, relieving businesses of unnecessary burdens such as reporting obligations, and strategically reducing dependencies through new economic alliances in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

A strategic and proactive trade agenda should be a priority amid geopolitical tensions. Ongoing trade agreement negotiations should be concluded more swiftly, existing agreements ratified faster, and our European neighbours integrated more closely economically. The broader German companies structure their supply chains and sales markets, the less they will be caught in the crossfire of major economic powers' trade policies."