A strong transatlantic partnership requires strong economic relations in the future, German Foreign Minister Wadephul said regarding punitive tariff policies from the US.
Against the backdrop of the US government's punitive tariff policies, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has warned against new trade restrictions. "A strong and successful transatlantic partnership will continue to require strong economic relations in the future," Wadephul told the Bild newspaper. "New tariff barriers hurt everyone - Americans and Europeans," he added. When asked whether punitive tariffs would hit Europe or the US harder, Wadephul replied: "I think both equally. (...) It's a losing game. Both sides would lose."
The German foreign minister declined to comment on the latest US court rulings. "The US is a constitutional state," he said. "The US judiciary operates independently." A US trade court on Wednesday struck down additional punitive tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump exceeded his authority by invoking a 1977 emergency law, the ruling said. The US government contested that. On Thursday, an appeals court ruled that the tariffs can remain in place for now, while the appeal process is pending. Trump recently threatened the EU with 50 percent tariffs starting July 9, but these have not yet come into force and negotiations with the EU are ongoing. After a phone call between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, it was decided to postpone the date.
Wadephul met with Rubio
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made his first visit to the US (28-29.05). After meeting in Washington with the head of the State Department, Marco Rubio, the head of German diplomacy Johann Wadephul noted that they had "agreed that we will coordinate the next steps in close cooperation, so that (Kremlin head Vladimir) Putin finally sits down at the negotiating table, so that Russia can start serious talks," said the Christian Democrat politician. Wadephul stressed that it is important to continue the pressure on Putin. "We both want an immediate ceasefire. This has been emphasized repeatedly."
Foreign Minister Wadephul rejected Russian accusations that German aid for the construction of Ukrainian long-range missiles constitutes warmongering. Russia is waging a war in violation of international law and jurisdiction against Ukraine, Wadephul said in Washington. "We defend international law by standing by Ukraine. (...) This war can be stopped immediately, and this is the condition for Russia to cease its war responsibility," he added. And this, he said, would truly be a renunciation of warmongering.
Strains in transatlantic relations
Before meeting with Wadephul, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made two statements that highlighted the strain on transatlantic relations since President Donald Trump took office.
The US Secretary of State suspended the issuance of visas for foreign students. Rubio also stated shortly before shaking hands with Wadephul that in the future anyone who imposes "censorship" on US citizens or companies in Europe or elsewhere is unwelcome in the US. Wadephul was not prepared for these statements by his colleague. After the meeting, he said that the consequences of these new measures must first be considered./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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