“Solve the fucking problems”: Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck makes it abundantly clear at a discussion event

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Robert Habeck: “Solve the shitty problems we have now”

Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa

Robert Habeck is currently visiting the USA.

During a speech at Columbia University in New York, the Vice Chancellor attracted attention with exceptionally clear words: "Solve the fucking problems that we have now," said the Federal Minister of Economics (Greens) in a speech in front of students.

Politicians should not simply pass problems on to the next generation.

In view of a changing world, thinking must also change, emphasized Habeck: “Politics does not mean repeating what was thought to be right 30 years ago, but dealing with reality as it is, as we find it. « Habeck's speech was about trade policy and the change towards a more climate-friendly economy.

Habeck was introduced as the German “Chancellor”.

At the discussion event, Habeck was initially referred to as the German “Chancellor” by the moderator, but the Vice Chancellor quickly corrected this.

When a participant referred to the mix-up in a question, Habeck followed up again - after all, there were journalists in the room.

“I am satisfied with the job I have,” emphasized Habeck.

The Federal Minister of Economics also used the event to criticize the USA for its poor climate record to date.

“You are not on the path to climate neutrality,” said Habeck.

The USA has one of the highest CO₂ emissions per capita in the world and has not taken the necessary steps to make substantial changes to this by 2050.

The government of US President Joe Biden, like the European Union, has committed to being climate neutral by 2050.

By then, the country's economy should emit less CO₂ than is sustainably sequestered elsewhere.

"I don't see that the USA is on the way to climate neutrality," said Habeck.

A key reason is the low energy prices in the USA.

Unlike Europe, there is no carbon pricing in the United States.

Technologies such as CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) to store CO₂ emissions would also not be used.

Habeck described Biden's massive climate protection investment package, the Inflation Reduction Act, as a step in the right direction, but also as problematic from a German and European perspective.

There is a “subsidy competition” that the USA won by taking on much higher debt.

“There is no longer fair competition,” said Habeck.

»It's the case that the USA spends too much and Europe spends too little.

But one way or another we have to solve this problem.

ore/dpa/AFX/AFP