The leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has called for a summit to strengthen the country’s steel industry. Speaking to the Funke media group, Klingbeil stated the SPD’s desire for a swift meeting involving company executives and worker representatives to explore avenues for bolstering the sector, specifically mentioning the potential impact of lower energy prices.
Klingbeil also emphasized the need for a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute with the United States regarding steel imports. He suggested that low tariffs or high quotas would be sensible outcomes, noting the US reliance on high-quality German steel, particularly in industries such as aerospace. Currently, the US imposes a 50 percent tariff on steel imports.
The German Minister also voiced criticism regarding a previous trade deal negotiated between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and former US President Donald Trump. Klingbeil questioned how the European Union, with its collective strength of 27 member states and 450 million citizens, could appear comparatively weak in international negotiations, expressing a desire for the EU to assert greater influence.
He acknowledged the contribution of CDU leader Friedrich Merz in ensuring European voices are heard on critical issues such as international security and reiterated the importance of Germany taking a leading role within Europe.
Beyond the steel industry, Klingbeil also addressed the financial strain on local municipalities. He stated his ministry is working on solutions to address outstanding municipal debts and urged Germany’s federal states to contribute financially to relief efforts. He highlighted the importance of strengthening local authorities’ ability to act, referencing conversations with mayors in the Ruhr region who cite old debts as a significant hindrance to their flexibility, asserting that excessive cost-cutting has negatively impacted the country.
