New ambassador Jens Hanefeld: On new shores in the USA!

New ambassador Jens Hanefeld: On new shores in the USA!

Washington, USA - Jens Hanefeld (60) becomes the new German ambassador in the USA. He will replace Andreas Michaelis in this position, who is regularly retired. This change of personnel belongs to an extensive tableau that Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) prepared and which is to be decided on Wednesday in the cabinet, such as op-online reported.

Hanefeld has extensive experience because he has already worked twice at the German Embassy in Washington: from 1997 to 2000 and from 2009 to 2014 as a envoy and deputy ambassador. Between 2014 and 2024 he worked at Volkswagen AG in managerial positions for international and European politics as well as trade policy. In addition, Bruno Kahl (62), who was previously President of the Federal Intelligence Service, is the new German representative at the Holy Chair in Rome.

The importance of transatlantic relationships

The appointment of Hanefeld comes at a time when transatlantic relationships are of the utmost importance. According to the Foreign Office , the close friendship between Germany and the USA is based on historically grown relationships as well as common values ​​and interests. This friendship is particularly important against the background of the current geopolitical challenges, such as the Russian attack war against Ukraine.

The United States is not only one of the most decisive partners in Germany on questions of peace and security, but also play a central role in global problem solutions such as climate change and multilateral order. 35,200 US soldiers are permanently stationed in Germany, which strengthens the transatlantic security community as part of NATO.

economic connections

The economic relationships between Germany and the USA are also of great importance. In 2024, foreign trade sales between the two countries was 252.8 billion euros, with Germany's most important trading partners. German exports to the USA amounted to 161.4 billion euros, which corresponds to an increase of 2.2 % compared to the previous year. Imports from the United States were 91.4 billion euros, but with a decline of 3.4 %.

• economic connections create jobs and exchange.
• companies from Germany are the third largest foreign employer in the USA with around 923,600 jobs.

In addition, there are numerous connections between the two countries through civil society, scientific and cultural relationships. Exchange programs and private initiatives promote this dialogue, while Germany remains a popular goal for US students. Over 200 German-American city twinning also support the cultural exchange.

The appointment of Jens Hanefeld is therefore not only a personnel policy change, but also a strategic signal for the continuation and deepening of the important bilateral relationships between Germany and the USA, as well as SPIEGEL