German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on 28 July that recently enacted U.S. import tariffs are placing a “significant burden” on Germany’s economy and risk dealing “considerable damage” to the country’s export sector. Merz added that similar duties imposed by the European Union would not serve U.S. interests, signalling rising concern in Berlin over escalating trade frictions. Speaking a day later, Germany’s economy minister described the new levies as an “enormous burden” and warned that the European Union is “currently negotiating from a position of weakness” that must be reversed. The minister called for stronger coordination within the bloc to protect European industry as talks with Washington continue. The trans-Atlantic tensions follow a series of tariff increases introduced by Washington this year, including the widely publicised 145 per cent duty on selected Chinese imports that took effect in April. Germany, whose growth relies heavily on overseas sales of machinery, autos and chemicals, fears the measures could further slow an economy already struggling with weak demand at home and abroad.