Germany’s outgoing vice chancellor, , has said Germany and the EU must do more to help themselves when it comes to innovation, infrastructure and new technologies amid the
Habeck, who is also economy minister and the ‘s top candidate for upcoming federal elections, told DW in an interview that a leading principle here should be that “the next Google has to come from Europe.”
What else did Habeck say?
Habeck, speaking of the prospect of trade conflicts with the US as said: ” is prepared, should the US impose tariffs,” adding that he hoped that would not be the case.
Europe, he emphasized, could impose “countermeasures that would affect the American economy, including the consumer sector,” but said in his eyes that would be “the wrong way” to deal with Trump.
Habeck said the EU could join forces and “arm wrestle” with the US but suggested that it wouldn’t help either side and that he would like to avoid such a situation.
Instead, he argued that more tax incentives and investments were needed to ensure that outdated infrastructure can be revitalized in order to grow the economy and produce the technologies of the future in Europe and Germany.
Security problems
Asked about whether his call for 3.5% of GDP to be spent on German defense was a response to Habeck said he was guided only by what was urgent and necessary.
He said that Germany had a “security problem” because too little had been invested in the armed forces — the Bundeswehr — and the country’s defense and security capability in the past.
“If there is a problem, it has to be solved,” Habeck said. “I think Trump takes a completely different approach.”
“He just throws out some number or other, and if we were at 5% now, he would say 9. […] That is not my way of thinking. It is simply necessary to do what has to be done, that is all,” he added.
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