German government opposes boycott of US products

BERLIN - Germany’s government rejected on March 26 calls for a boycott of US goods despite disagreements over tariffs, saying Europe’s biggest economy wanted to foster good trade relations.

European Union officials are trying to ease tensions with the United States and prevent a trade war as US President Donald Trump embarks on

a tariff offensive

that could lead to retaliatory measures.

“The German government is interested in good relations and also good trade relations with the United States. We are doing everything we can to achieve this,” government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters.

“We don’t need more trade barriers, we need fewer,” he said, adding: “In this respect, we do not agree with such demands.”

The comment echoes a warning from the head of Germany’s BGA association representing importers and exporters who said a boycott of US products would be a “false response” to political disagreements which could stoke a cycle of reprisals.

“We shouldn’t bring an already complex situation further to a head. Rather than get embroiled in boycotts, tariffs and counter-tariffs, we should seek dialogue with the United States over the transatlantic trade questions of the future,” said BGA president Dirk Jandura.

Germany’s trade surplus with the US reached a record level of €70 billion (S$100 billion) in 2024, statistics office data showed.

However, cooling relations in trade and security between the US and its traditional European allies have prompted some calls in Europe to replace US products with home-made brands, following similar moves in Canada.

A forum on social media website Reddit called “BuyFromEU” has attracted 189,000 members to discuss alternatives to US brands.

US carmaker Tesla’s market share

continued to shrink in Europe

in February. It has been hit by increased competition and Europe’s economic slowdown but also by the support of chief executive officer Elon Musk, an adviser to the Trump administration, for far-right parties in Europe, including in Germany.

German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies travels to the US this week for talks with his US counterpart as well as with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. REUTERS