February 23, 2026, 4:20 p.mFebruary 23, 2026, 4:20 p.m
In the customs conflict with the USA, the so-called trade bazooka is not off the table for Friedrich Merz. The German Chancellor wants to speak to Trump personally soon.
Friedrich Merz does not rule out the “trade bazooka”.Image: keystone
An EU law to ward off economic coercion is called a “trade bazooka”. It allows the EU to take countermeasures such as tariffs and import and export restrictions when economic pressure is used to force political decisions.
“This is an instrument that should really only be used as a last option,” said Merz at the German Press Agency’s editorial conference in Berlin on Monday. «I trust that we will find a way to end these trade policy disputes without this instrument. But if it’s necessary, it’s necessary, and then I’ll be the last one to say no,” said Merz.
He will make it clear to US President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit: “If we want to contribute to the stability of our relationships and, not least, do industry on both sides of the Atlantic a favor, then we should end these uncertainties as quickly as possible.” (hkl/sda/awp/dpa)