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Trump strikes: 15% US tariffs endanger Germany's economy!
US tariffs of 15% on imports are putting an economic strain on Germany. Companies are looking for new markets and strategies.
Trump strikes: 15% US tariffs endanger Germany's economy!
The trade relations between the USA and Germany are currently in focus. After US President Donald Trump introduced new tariffs of 15 percent on many EU exports on August 7, 2025, concerns about the economic consequences for German trade are accelerating. The President of the Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, Dirk Jandura, describes the tariffs as a “killer for business”. Dealers are unable to offset these additional costs, resulting in higher prices and a loss of competitiveness. Mercury reports.
The consequences are obvious. Despite a slight decline in US business of 2.1 percent, German exports rose overall by 0.8 percent to 130.5 billion euros. The 2.4 percent increase in exports to the EU is particularly pleasing. Business with China also increased by 1.1 percent. Jandura observes a reorientation of German exports towards the EU and other countries, which was triggered by the uncertainties in US business.
Growing insecurities
There are great concerns in the economy. Helena Melnikov, General Manager of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warns of increasing pressure on German companies. In a DIHK survey, more than half of the companies surveyed said they expected increasing difficulties, while almost 75 percent of companies with direct US business shared these concerns. The additional customs duties and the associated bureaucracy are already having an effect: the company Ebbecke procedural engineering is reporting a decline in orders of 25 to 30 percent for standard products. ZDF today finds that around 73 percent of companies consider the EU internal market to be increasingly important.
What's next? Negotiating new trade agreements could help reduce uncertainty. The EU has already concluded agreements with over 40 countries, while negotiations are still ongoing with important partners such as Mercosur, India and Indonesia. This shows that fair competitive conditions and reliable supply chains are of crucial importance for small and medium-sized industrial companies. ZDF points this out that the negotiations are often lengthy and complex.
Global impact and future outlook
Despite all the challenges, global trade experienced slight growth in the first half of 2025. Trade volumes increased by 1.7 percent, with US imports increasing by 14 percent and EU exports by 6 percent. But experts warn: Political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions could lead to new challenges in the second half of the year. Tagesschau reports of the danger of a far-reaching conflict between the USA and Europe.
Given this mixed situation, it remains to be seen how trade relations will develop further. Companies like Vetter and Grenzbach are faced with strategic decisions about whether to adjust their exports or expand local production. For the industry this means: A good hand in strategic planning is required!