The German business community is concerned about the crisis in which the country finds itself and therefore speaks to the country’s political leaders. The list of topics is very long, says German correspondent Derk Marseille. ‘Companies want to be able to count on financial support for reform of the sector in the coming years.’
China, America, energy, climate, Ukraine, lack of professionals. The list of topics is long. “It mainly concerns digitization and energy supply. There is a lot that needs to be shaped by government,’ says Marseille. Chancellor Scholz had previously called on producers to fully invest in transformations such as digitization and sustainability. “They want to hear from Scholz how the German government will help with this,” says Marseille.
The energy crisis is hitting Germany hard. The metal, automotive and chemical industries are under enormous pressure due to higher production costs. Extremely high gas prices could, in the worst case, lead to deindustrialization in Germany and Europe, according to a study by subsidiary PwC Strategy&. ‘German industry uses a lot of energy and is therefore hit hard by high prices. In addition, geopolitical turmoil also plays a role.’
China annexes Taiwan
Last month, Chancellor Scholz concluded deals with China, but it is expected that China within German politics will no longer be a reliable trading partner after 2027. “Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Climate Habeck expects China to annex Taiwan, which will also mean that the chip industry which is essential for Germany will disappear.” This has consequences for Germany’s China strategy, says Marseille. ‘It’s confusing. Habeck is working on his own China policy, while Scholz is also crafting his own China plan. This may even become the main topic today, companies are concerned about whether trade with China can still continue.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
