Europe is open-minded but not naive about global trade

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz's opening address at Hannover Messe was a clear signal for friendship with Canada, free trade and greater competitiveness and technological sovereignty in Europe.

The key facts in brief

• Open-minded but not naive: Federal Chancellor Scholz stressed that Europe would continue to pursue open trade with the greatest possible number of partners around the world. He pointed out that Europe was not naive, however: "If the US is leaving us no other option, such as with regard to tariffs on steel and aluminium, the European Union will be acting in unison."
• Europe is not defenceless: With its 450 million citizens, 27 states and hundreds of thousands of businesses, Europe was not defenceless, Scholz stated, adding that the response to protectionism, tariffs and a "my country first" approach had to be an increase in free trade, competitiveness and technological sovereignty. To achieve the latter two goals, it was essential for Germany and Europe to pull out all the stops, Schoz said.
• Welcoming friends: The Federal Chancellor assured the trade fair's partner country Canada that "we stand by your side". Canada was not "a federal state of anything" but "a proud, independent nation" with friends around the world, and especially in Germany and Europe, he continued, highlighting that Canada, Germany and Europe complemented each other in a virtually perfect manner.

Hannover Messe is the world's leading industrial trade fair. It is taking place from 31 March until 4 April and its motto in 2025 is: "Shaping the Future with Technology". In addition to attending the opening event, the Federal Chancellor went on his traditional tour of the trade fair grounds on Monday, visiting the booths of various Canadian and German companies.
This year's partner country Canada is represented in Hannover with over 200 companies. Goods trading between the two countries has increased by over 50 percent since the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into effect provisionally in 2017. Germany ratified CETA in December 2022.

You can read a transcript of the speech here

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