Tilman Kuban, a politician with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has advocated for a more pragmatic approach to trade with the United States, even in the sensitive agricultural sector. Speaking on the Berlin Playbook Podcast by POLITICO, Kuban asserted that “free trade guarantees our prosperity – and that on both sides of the Atlantic”. He argued that reducing tariffs would benefit businesses and enhance the well-being of people on both continents.
Addressing the contentious “chlorinated chicken” issue, Kuban expressed a willingness to find a compromise. He emphasized the need for a mutually beneficial solution, stating that “neither the American nor the European economy can have an interest in damage being done. Both sides benefit from fair and free trade.
The Europa- und Wirtschaftspolitiker also called for a more assertive stance from the European Union. While acknowledging the importance of the US as a partner, Kuban highlighted the EU’s significance as the largest export market for American goods.
Kuban criticized the EU’s current trade policy as being overly slow and overly focused on technical details. He suggested a need for greater speed and pragmatism, noting that recent trade agreements have been burdened with extensive environmental and labor protection standards.
To address these issues, Kuban proposed the development of “EU-only agreements” – trade deals that can be decided upon and implemented solely by the European Union, bypassing lengthy ratification processes required by individual member states.
