EU Commission criticises German minister’s comments on US trade deal

Brussels (dpa) – The European Commission on Tuesday criticised German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil‘s comments about his disappointment over the European Union’s trade deal with the United States.

“I must admit we were quite surprised to hear this statement from the German minister,” a spokesman for the Commission told reporters during a press briefing in Brussels.

“I would remind you that EU member states and business stakeholders have consistently underscored that a trade conflict with the US was not a desirable course of action.”

The Commission did not specify which of Klingbeil’s statements had caused surprise. However, it referred to comments in media reports that expressed views inconsistent with the discussions the Commission had held with Germany in recent weeks and months.

Prior to his talks on Monday in Washington with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Kingbeil criticised the EU’s negotiating tactics.

“I think we were too weak. We cannot be satisfied with the result that was achieved,” he said. He added that it was necessary to reflect on the outcomes of the debates over the past weeks.

The Commission stated that EU member states, including Germany, had stressed that only a negotiated solution could ensure stability. (August 5)