The U.S. was Germany’s most important trading partner last year, according to Germany’s statistics office. Goods worth €161.4 billion euros were exported to the U.S. The new tariffs are expected to hit Germany’s automotive industry, its pharmaceutical sector and mechanical engineering particularly hard.

Russia was notably absent from the sweeping tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, which are set to affect almost the entire world. The White House said sanctions imposed on Moscow because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine had already ensured that there was no meaningful trade between the countries.

In his second term as president, Donald Trump is pushing American allies, including Germany, to do more to fund their militaries and pay their fair share to fund defense.

Europe is fortunate to have sensible men leading the UK, Poland and France: Keir Starmer, Donald Tusk and Emmanuel Macron. Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, could be a crucial addition to this united front against the challenges posed by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin is prepared to hold another phone call with Donald Trump, according to the Kremlin. The offer comes after the US President vented his frustration with the Russian leader over the lack of progress in peace negotiations on Ukraine. Over the Weekend, Trump gave an interview to the NBC channel, in which he criticised Putin.

The new levies on cars and light trucks will take effect on April 3, the day after Trump plans to announce reciprocal tariffs aimed at the countries responsible for the bulk of the U.S. trade deficit.