Prominent German conservative lawmaker Jens Spahn has called for a joint transatlantic strategy with the incoming US administration to bolster trade and reduce Germany’s reliance on China, Bloomberg reports.
Spahn, a close ally of CDU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, argued that a stronger US-Germany partnership is crucial for countering China’s economic power.
“We could say let’s have a common approach toward China,” Spahn said. He suggested that increased transatlantic trade would strengthen Germany’s position in dealing with China, a process he termed “de-risking.” “You need to make deals, as Trump would call it,” he added.
Spahn’s comments come as Germany faces a looming economic slowdown, with the CDU/CSU bloc currently leading in opinion polls ahead of snap elections scheduled for February. He highlighted Germany’s shrinking economy, a concern echoed by Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel who warned that potential US tariffs could cost Germany 1% of its GDP and potentially lead to further contraction in 2025.
To address Germany’s economic challenges, Spahn advocated for maintaining the country’s “debt brake” fiscal rule while simultaneously cutting social spending to offset increased investments in defense and other key areas. “We need to make Germany strong again,” he emphasized.
Spahn, a veteran parliamentarian with over two decades of experience, is expected to secure a senior position in a future government led by the CDU/CSU. His past role as health minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel drew criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
