You know. Like how Germany’s export numbers to China have collapsed?
Big drop in German exports to China raises fears over EU’s economic powerhouse – Decrease in demand from Asia’s largest economy sparks concern over how Berlin can fix industrial malaise.
A double-digit drop in German exports to China has rattled Europe’s biggest economy, triggering debate over why its vast manufacturing sector has fallen behind rivals benefiting from a rebound in Chinese demand.
The 11.3 per cent drop in German exports to China in the first four months of the year, compared with the same period a year ago, highlights a unique set of challenges for Europe’s industrial powerhouse, economists say. Carmakers are losing market share in China, chemical producers and other energy-intensive companies are reeling from high power prices, and the euro’s appreciation against the dollar has made German goods less competitive.
Even “more than shocking,” if such a thing is possible. Other than for her, I mean.
And somebody somewhere needs to do something about all this more than shocking stuff real pronto, I bet she’s thinking.
Germany’s foreign minister: Parts of China trip ‘more than shocking’ – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday described parts of her recent trip to China as “more than shocking” and said Beijing was increasingly becoming a systemic rival more than a trade partner and competitor.
The blunt remarks followed Baerbock’s visit to Beijing last week where she warned that any attempt by China to control Taiwan would be unacceptable.
That’s how it’s always been in today’s Germany. Search here (in the upper left) for “beautiful German weapon sale” to get just a few examples.
Thanks to Putin, Business Is Booming for Germany’s Defense Contractors – As governments rearm in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the German arms industry is a prime beneficiary, and that’s making some of the public uncomfortable.
Norway to order 54 new army tanks from Germany – Norway will order 54 new German-made Leopard 2 tanks for its army from the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Group, and will get an option to buy a further 18 tanks at a later time, the government said on Friday.
So if US-Amerika sends tanks, Mom, I don’t see why I can’t…
Berlin Won’t Allow Exports of German Tanks to Ukraine Unless U.S. Sends Its Own – North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have over 2,000 German-made Leopard tanks.
Several European governments have said they are ready to send German-made tanks to Ukraine, including Poland, Finland and Denmark, if they get approval from Berlin, though none has made a formal request. Britain has said it would send 14 of its Challenger 2 main battle tanks, an older equivalent to the Leopard.
“One can’t differentiate between direct exports (of German-made tanks) and exports by third countries,” a senior German official said Wednesday.
China’s car exports surpass Germany’s after 54.4 per cent surge to 3.11 million in 2022, narrowing Japan’s lead – China has surpassed Germany to become the world’s second-largest car exporter after mainland exports jumped 54.4 per cent year on year to 3.11 million vehicles in 2022, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
Germany to Miss Military Spending Target Next Year, Study Says – Germany will fail to meet a NATO guideline of spending 2% of gross domestic product on its military next year and again from 2026 onwards, according to an analysis quoted in local media on Monday.
“The 2% target is receding into the distant future despite €100 billion in special funds, and even necessary procurements in the short term are not progressing.”
The more things change (with the German army), the more they stay the same. I’ve timed these “unpreparedness” intervals to be about every eight to ten months – for decades now. Germans have no intention of ever having a “real” army again. The Bundeswehr is simply an alibi army needed to justify the German weapons industry. Just get used to it, folks. And don’t believe any of their rhetoric.
German defense minister comes under heavy fire over ammunition shortages – Both government coalition partners attack Christine Lambrecht over apparent unpreparedness and inaction to secure enough ammo for armed forces.
Some say it means “ring exchange” (not the wedding kind). Others say it means being chicken shit.
With Slovakian deal, Germany expands three-way ‘Ringtausch’ dance to arm Ukraine – Under the Ringtausch program, Germany has sent newer equipment to Slovakia, Greece, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, with those countries shifting older gear to Ukraine.
The Germans have a specific word for an exchange between at least three parties: “Ringtausch.” So it makes sense that is what the German government has named its procedure to gift modern military equipment to former Soviet-bloc countries who, in turn, gift their Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine.
Thank God. The Germans are relieved. For a while there things were starting to look way too positive.
Post-Brexit-wise.
Positive trend in German exports to Britain no cause for optimism – DIHK.
German exports to Britain this year could grow for the first time since 2015, statstics office data showed, but the DIHK business association said the numbers did not mark a turn for the better, especially in light of Britain’s current turbulence.
Observing Hermann 