Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economic Affairs Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut (CDU) warned of rising prices with a view to the trade conflict with the USA. From the minister’s point of view, a reasonable reaction of the EU had followed the tariff on steel and aluminum that was recently raised by the United States. Customs usually caused against tariffs, which in the end will have a particularly important impact on consumer prices – including in the USA – that will increase. “Such a swinging of tariffs and the associated rising prices cannot be in the interest of export-oriented nations,” said Hoffmeister-Kraut.
The United States is the largest trading partner of Baden-Württemberg, a large number of companies are closely linked to the United States through their own production capacities on site or decades of business relationships. She thinks it is important to continue to rely on dialogue with the US government and to look for common solutions. “The new federal government and the EU will be required here,” said Hoffmeister-Kraut.
What Europe should do according to Hoffmeister-Kraut
Nevertheless, it is important that “Europe strengthens its economic independence and supports companies in their diversification efforts”. It must be invested in research, development and production in order to secure Europe as an attractive location. At the same time, the EU had to position itself more widely and complete further trade agreements with strong regions and countries, such as with India, Indonesia or Malaysia.
The United States is by far the most important removal country for goods from Baden-Württemberg. In 2024, goods worth 34.8 billion euros were delivered there, as the State Statistical Office announced at the end of February according to preliminary results. Almost three quarters accounted for the automotive sector, the pharmaceutical industry and mechanical engineering, as can be seen from data from the State Statistical Office. Accordingly, goods worth 18.3 billion euros were imported, with goods from the pharmaceutical industry, the automotive sector as well as oil and natural gas to Baden-Württemberg.
