German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has called on the European Union to take firm action if ongoing trade talks with the United States fail. His remarks, published Sunday in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, follow US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 30 percent tariff on EU imports starting August 1, according to Xinhua.

Klingbeil warned that Germany would not remain passive if negotiations break down, stating that preparations for countermeasures are already underway. He stressed the need for a fair trade agreement, saying, “Trump’s tariffs produce only losers,” and urged an end to escalating tensions.

He also noted that Germany will accelerate efforts to diversify its global trade partnerships. The US is currently Germany’s largest export market, with exports totaling €161bn in 2024 and a trade surplus of nearly €70bn, Xinhua reported.