German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed concerns over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel, during talks with high-level business leaders in Munich on Friday.
SOT, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany (German): “I don’t want to strike a combative tone, that wouldn’t be helpful. It’s not good to have now additional tariffs. It will have an impact on the economy and not just of one country. We are convinced it will be detrimental for everyone in the end. Nobody can or will win in such a race to the bottom. That’s why we are seeking the dialogue now as we did before, but we can also react from the European side, the Commission made it clear.”
SOT, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany (German): “Concerning North and South Korea and a possible meeting with the President of the United States, we can observe that a cohesive international position, including sanctions, can lead to glimpse of hope. I call it ‘glimmers of hope’, on those more work is needed, but it would be wonderful if we could witness a deescalation because this tension has been a huge preoccupation for everyone.”