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Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - The mechanical engineering companies in the southwest do not expect a complete turnaround in trade relations even under US President Joe Biden.
"Joe Biden will be a tough negotiating partner for Europe," said the managing director of the VDMA industry association in Baden-Württemberg, Dietrich Birk, of the German press agency.
It is assumed, however, that with Biden a different style will move into the White House than under President Donald Trump.
"We expect a new culture of discussion and greater reliability in negotiations," said Birk.
Trump had incited conflicts with China and the EU with billions in tariffs and set in motion a spiral of countermeasures.
The USA is an important trading partner for German mechanical engineering.
Biden is due to be sworn in on January 20th.
"We urgently need open markets," said Birk.
Perhaps there is another chance under Biden to get closer again.
Asia is currently increasing the pressure on the EU and North America, stressed Birk.
China and 14 Asia-Pacific countries signed the world's largest free trade agreement in November.