Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel Expects a Positive Resolution to the US Tariff Dispute
Henkel’s CEO, Carsten Knobel, has returned from the United States and is optimistic about the prospects of a resolution to the ongoing tariff dispute. In an interview with German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, Knobel expressed his concerns about the impact of the tariffs on consumers and the industry, stating that the losers in such a trade war are clearly the consumers.
Knobel, who has just returned from the US, believes that the US government will eventually have to take into account the pressure from the public and the industry. He emphasized that the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump is a challenge, but one that must be lived with.
As the CEO of a global consumer goods company with operations in over 100 countries, Knobel acknowledged that the tariff dispute is affecting some of its competitors more severely. Henkel, he said, is less exposed to the tariffs due to its production and sales strategy, which involves producing more than 85% of the products it sells in a region in that same region.
In a separate matter, Knobel reiterated his company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating that the goal of achieving a balanced gender ratio in management by 2025 remains unchanged. The company currently has a global management team with a 42% female representation, Knobel said, adding that while the company adapts to changing legal frameworks in different countries, its commitment to the issue remains unwavering.