Is Germany abandoning free trade to protect its steel industry?
Core argument: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed protectionist measures to shield Germany's ailing steel industry from cheap Chinese imports, a departure from the country's traditional commitment to free trade.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed protectionist measures to shield the country’s ailing steel industry from cheap Chinese imports, in a striking departure from the country’s traditional commitment to free trade. He also supported taxing imported goods from countries that do not apply the same CO₂ emissions standards as the EU, and said he would favour incentives for companies to source EU-produced steel.


