In the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, a slim majority of Germans favor a forceful response from the European Union. A Forsa poll conducted for “Stern” and RTL shows that 51 % of the population would support retaliatory actions, such as imposing their own duties on U.S. products, while 44 % urge caution and prefer to wait for further negotiations. Five percent admitted uncertainty.
The flare‑up of the trade conflict is adding domestic pressure on European leaders. Berlin and Paris are increasingly expected to formulate a unified stance that signals readiness to dialogue but also keeps the option of firm counter‑measures open.
The backdrop is a fresh escalation in the trans‑atlantic tariff spat. Last summer, the United States and the EU reached an agreement limiting EU export duties to the United States at a maximum of 15 %. That accord was viewed as a key step toward stabilising trade ties and relieving export‑intensive sectors on both sides of the Atlantic.
Now the U.S. government threatens higher duties on European goods. A move away from the current arrangement would jeopardise the hard‑won compromise and could spark a new cycle of reciprocal measures. Analysts warn that additional tariffs would not only affect specific industries but also increase supply‑chain costs, deter investment decisions, and further strain Europe’s already fragile economic outlook.