Friedrich Merz: Germany should look for new trading partners

According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany should go beyond the trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which sets 15% duties on EU products, and find new trading partners in the coming years. The publication informs about this Profit.Ro .

"How are we going to manage world trade if, for example, Americans are no longer willing to comply with the rules of the World Trade Organization?" — Merz said at the Government Open Day event, an initiative that allows citizens to visit Berlin institutions and participate in debates.

"We should look for partners in the world who share our views," added Merz, the leader of the conservative CDU party, whose approval rating, according to an INSA poll published by Bild this weekend, is 25% (at the rating level of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Merz also sees trade opportunities in South America, Asia and Africa, which should be mutually beneficial.

"We must consistently follow this path," he said.

Plus, Merz said that fundamental issues of social security systems need to be resolved by the end of the year, arguing that the government should reduce the level of social spending on employment, pensions and healthcare.

"We need to adapt our social security systems to the challenges of the future," he concluded.