Belén Garijo, the outgoing CEO of pharmaceutical giant Merck, has voiced a surprisingly optimistic perspective on Germany’s current state, contrasting sharply with prevailing national sentiment. In an interview with “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, the Spanish-born executive expressed a markedly more positive outlook than many Germans currently hold, attributing some of the prevailing negativity to a deeply ingrained cultural tendency toward criticism.
While acknowledging a slow start, Garijo commended the government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) for instilling confidence in the German economy. However, she cautioned against complacency, stressing the critical importance of swiftly implementing planned economic reforms, a principle she emphasized is essential within Merck itself. The need for a robust German economy has never been more urgent, she argued, particularly within the context of a fragile European landscape.
Garijo’s assessment carries significant political weight given Merck’s global footprint. She directly challenged the growing calls within Europe to decouple industries from China, dismissing the concept as unrealistic. “Decoupling from China is impossible” she stated bluntly, highlighting China’s critical role in global trade and Merck’s significant revenue stream that supports operations in both Europe and the United States. She underscored that a global trade network without China simply does not exist and significant business disruption would inevitably follow any attempt at such a separation.
The CEO emphasized the need for proactive risk management, revealing that Merck has significantly bolstered its preparedness measures to navigate an increasingly unpredictable global environment. This reflects a broader shift towards acknowledging geopolitical risks and developing strategies to mitigate their impact.
Reflecting on her 15-year tenure in Germany, culminating in her leadership role since 2021, Garijo conveyed profound personal satisfaction while offering a candid appraisal of the nation’s economic fragility within a precarious global order. While hinting at a period of relaxation following her departure in April 2026, her comments underscore a deeper concern about the need for decisive and strategically informed action to secure Germany’s future within the competitive global arena.