Germany's Economy Minister Habeck warns US against trade war

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned the United States on Sunday against engaging in a trade war, calling it “a very bad alternative,” and said Europe would retaliate.

“As Europeans, we are prepared for counter-tariffs,” the Green Party politician said at an event hosted by the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper.

“The Americans need to know: this is a very bad alternative.”

Habeck pointed out that tariffs drive up inflation – for both consumers and companies in the US, too. This will be made clear to the Americans, he said.

“But if that doesn’t work, then we can’t let ourselves be pushed around,” said Habeck, who is also the vice chancellor.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. Those countries promptly announced that they would impose counter-tariffs on US imports.