24.11.2025 - "The agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, Indonesia and Switzerland finally need ratification – this is the only way businesses worldwide regain better market opportunities and planning perspectives. 

Also, in the negotiations with the United Kingdom, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and the UAE, swift and balanced deals are essential. Regarding the USA: the concluded agreement must be implemented to avoid further escalation of US trade policies.

At the same time, Europe – also towards China – needs to become more resilient. Defensive measures may serve as an ultimate ratio; however, the focus must be on diversified supply chains, stronger domestic market conditions, and better relations with China.

Isolation – be it through highly restrictive steel quotas, 'Buy European' in public procurement, or localization commitments for businesses – is a wrong path. It hampers competition and innovation, and thus precisely the growth Europe desperately needs. For internationally interconnected economies such as Germany's, provoking countermeasures from important trading partners would also be disastrous.

Overall, it is important to ensure that the competitiveness of individual sectors does not come at the expense of others. Crucial is relieving businesses across the board – in energy costs and bureaucracy – as well as an internationally and domestically coordinated approach against unfair subsidies."