Germany’s Scholz on tariffs: important not to divide the world

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday said it was important not to divide the world with new trade barriers, as everyone benefits from globalisation, after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.

Trump has earlier also threatened the European Union (EU) with tariffs but so far has not implemented them. When asked about possible retaliation from the EU side, Scholz said the bloc has "scope for action" as a major economic power.

"We will try to continue economic relations together with the perspective of cooperation and collaboration," the social-democrat chancellor said after a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the country home of prime ministers north-west of London.

Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and frontrunner to become the next chancellor, earlier expressed concern over the tariffs as well. "Tariffs have never been a good idea for resolving trade policy conflicts," he said at his CDU conservative party convention, ahead of elections on Feb. 23.

Merz said the cost of the tariffs will eventually burden American consumers and will thus trigger resistance in the country, adding that the European Union (EU) must now unitedly enter negotiations with the U.S.

The economy is one of the main concerns of German voters, according to polls, as the export-oriented nation, known for its automotive sector, has struggled with stagnant economic growth for two consecutive years.