Tag Archives: Trade

Germany warning China again

February 26, 2026 By in Helplessness, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

China still not giving a lā shǐ.

Germany’s Leader Delivers a Blunt Warning to China on Trade – Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out his complaints in a frank message to his hosts on a trip to Beijing that China had designed to showcase their relationship.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany arrived in China on Wednesday with an outstretched hand and a list of complaints for his hosts, asking for closer diplomatic ties but also relief from economic policies that he said were impeding “fair competition.”

Germany + China = Shock

February 23, 2026 By in Heconomy, Helplessness, Home Cooking, Hard Facts Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

For Germany.

“The China shock is here,” the German Economic Institute declared last year. Indeed, 2025 will go down as the year in which it could no longer be denied. Germany’s trade deficit with China reached a record level of €87 billion—an increase of €20 billion compared to the previous year. And German exports to China continue to be in free fall. The United States, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy have by now become more important export markets for Germany than China.

Maybe not the best top trading partner to have.

A Tale of Two Headlines

February 21, 2026 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

“German business lobby warns of unfair trade practices by China” vs. “China overtakes US to become Germany’s top trading partner.”

China has overtaken the US as Germany’s most important trading partner, according to figures released by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Friday.

The sum of exports and imports between the two countries last year totaled €251.8 billion ($296.6 billion), a 2.1% increase, according to Destatis.

China was Germany’s most important trading partner from 2016 all the way through to 2023. In 2024, the US briefly held the title.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also set to visit China next week, where he is set to discuss trade and other topics.

German of the day: Abbau

August 27, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means reduction, to dismantle or cut.

German car industry sheds 51,500 jobs in a year – The dip equates to almost 7% of the total workforce in the German auto sector. Faltering exports to China and the US play a role, as new tariffs raise barriers to entry in both these core markets.

“The US and China are currently the cause of major concerns.”

Shock treatment about to begin in Germany

August 8, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

China shock treatment.

If the Chinese can’t displace the American workforce anymore, then they’ll displace another one (or two, or three…).

The China shock hits Germany – Trade with China displaced large parts of the American workforce in the 2000s, but Germany did not experience a similar shock at the time…

Not at any price…

July 11, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

But at all costs.

The clock is ticking.

German exporters don’t want US trade deal ‘at any price’, says trade group – The European Commission aims to reach a trade agreement outline with the U.S. in the coming days, ahead of the August 1 deadline set by President Donald Trump for broad tariff increases.

Exports to the United States dropped 7.7% in May month on month, following a 10.5% decline in April, data showed on Tuesday.

“Donald is right”

June 22, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Higher Education, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

On China.

“On this point, Donald is right — there is a serious problem,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, as she slammed Beijing for disrupting global trade with subsidies to boost its own companies – accusing the CCP of “weaponizing” its leading position in the production and refinement of raw materials used for cars, batteries and wind turbines.

She then encouraged Trump to join forces with US allies to address China’s trade imbalances, rather than punishing them with his own tariff scheme.

“When we focus our attention on tariffs between partners, it diverts our energy from the real challenge — one that threatens us all.”

Tariffs don’t work…

May 31, 2025 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Hideology, Home Cooking Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Until they do.

Then an agreement is reached and the tariffs are lowered. We could ask Elon but this doesn’t seem like rocket science to me.

Trump’s Tariffs Cost BMW $11 Million A Day, So Germans Want A Deal – European carmakers are losing millions daily to US tariffs despite American production bases.

Trade wars rarely end well for anyone involved, and when the crossfire hits the automotive industry, the damage adds up fast. Nowhere is that more evident than in Germany, where the ongoing tariff standoff is racking up some eye-watering costs. According to a new report, BMW is losing a staggering $11.3 (£8.4 / €10) million per day thanks to U.S. tariffs.