In a candid interview at Athens' Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered a pointed message: the EU must stand its ground against U.S. tariffs. With global trade tensions rising, Merkel warned that intimidation tactics risk inflating prices for American shoppers and straining transatlantic ties.
Merkel, renowned for her crisis-tested leadership, characterized President Trump's tariff strategy as an 'attention-seeking' move designed to shift the global spotlight and rally domestic support. 'He wanted to draw attention to himself,' she said. 'In the end, he has to deliver good results for the American people. He has to prove his abilities, at least in his own country.'
Currently, the U.S. imposes a 50% tariff on EU steel and aluminum products, a 25% levy on automotive imports, and a 10% base tariff on most other goods. Trump has warned that, without a breakthrough in U.S.-EU talks by July 9, tariffs could jump to 50% across a broader range of items96threatening to push up consumer prices and spark backlash at home.
For Merkel, unity is the EU's strongest asset. She argued that Europe should counterbalance U.S. measures with its own tariffs while keeping dialogue channels open. 'I'm not saying we should break off our relations with the U.S., but we must enter into negotiations,' she said, stressing that coordinated action would safeguard businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Merkel's call resonates beyond trade ministers and economic summits. It touches on everyday concerns for digital nomads hunting new work-from-anywhere hotspots and startups innovating across borders. Stable, balanced trade policies can keep electronics affordable, supply chains resilient, and transatlantic cooperation alive.
As the EU charts its next move, young citizens, entrepreneurs, and changemakers will be watching closely: can Europe turn tariff tensions into an opportunity for fairer, more sustainable trade? The answer could redefine the future of transatlantic relations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
