Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on August 4, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleGerman Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil urges the EU to adopt a stronger position in trade talks with the US to resolve conflicts and ensure planning certainty.
By Maria Martinez
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the European Union had been too weak during trade negotiations with the United States and it should become stronger, as much still needed to be clarified on the deal the two sides struck last month.
"Overall, as Europeans, we must become stronger," Klingbeil said in Washington ahead of a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
"Then we can also stand up to the U.S. with more self-confidence. Not against the U.S., but in dialogue with the U.S."
Klingbeil said there needed to be a quick solution to the trade conflict with the U.S. as companies needed planning certainty.
"Even though I am not the one negotiating today — that is the task of the European Commission — a close line of communication between me and Scott Bessent can help clarify things," he said, emphasizing the importance of the Transatlantic relationship.
Apart from tariffs, Klingbeil and Bessent will discuss how to deal with cheap Chinese goods that are flooding the markets in both the U.S. and Europe, as well as the G20 presidency that the U.S. will take at the end of the year.
"I believe it is important that we, from the German side, keep sending a clear signal: We want to work closely with the American government, we seek dialogue, we do not shy away from difficult topics and are looking at how we can solve problems together," Klingbeil said.
The EU's trade deal with Trump in July was greeted with a mix of relief and anger, with tariffs set at 15% for most products but negotiations continuing for certain sectors, including steel and aluminium, which carry tariffs of 50%.
Klingbeil would advocate for a quota system on steel exports to be included in the trade deal, he told reporters.
(Reporting by Maria Martinez; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Lars Klingbeil stated that the EU has been too weak during trade negotiations with the U.S. and emphasized the need for the EU to become stronger to engage in more confident dialogue.
Klingbeil expressed that a quick solution to the trade conflict is necessary as companies require planning certainty amidst ongoing negotiations.
They will discuss tariffs, the influx of cheap Chinese goods in both markets, and the G20 presidency that the U.S. will hold.
Klingbeil advocated for a quota system on steel exports to be included in the trade deal during his discussions with reporters.
The EU's trade deal with Trump was met with mixed reactions, including relief and anger, as tariffs were set at 15% for most products while negotiations continued for certain sectors.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
