Germany asked the European Union last week to speed-up trade talks to open trade with more than a dozen countries. The effort is aimed at boosting support for free trade in response to protectionist trade policy from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement to the EU, Germany repeated its view that Trump, along with Britain leaving the EU, posed risks for the world economy, according to Reuters. Germany called on the EU to bolster common policies in defense, diplomacy and the economy. Germany also asked the EU to push against trade protectionism and support free trading relationships and “international cooperation.” In his first week as President, Trump signed an executive order to withdrawal the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Trump is also targeting reforms to the North American Free Trade Agreement.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.