Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for European Union solidarity in response to U.S. trade pressures, warning that American tariffs could backfire by raising domestic consumer costs. Speaking at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens on Wednesday, Merkel framed the escalating trade tensions as a test of transatlantic diplomacy.
"We must not be intimidated," Merkel declared, emphasizing that retaliatory measures should be balanced with dialogue. "Negotiations must continue – this isn’t about severing ties but finding fair solutions."
The remarks targeted U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to trade policy, which she characterized as attention-seeking behavior. "He wants everyone looking at him," Merkel observed, noting that Trump’s tariff strategy risks domestic consequences if American households bear higher prices for goods.
Current U.S. tariffs include 50% duties on EU steel and aluminum, 25% on automotive imports, and 10% baseline rates on most other products. Trump has threatened to escalate automotive tariffs to 50% by July 9 if negotiations stall.
Analysts suggest Merkel’s intervention aims to bolster EU consensus ahead of critical trade talks. As the bloc’s largest economy, Germany remains particularly exposed to automotive sector tariffs affecting major manufacturers like Volkswagen and BMW.
