German minister: EU must become stronger in Trump tariff talks

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)