German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) is pressing for free‑trade agreements with Malaysia and Indonesia as a way to counter the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy.

“In the moment we are experiencing significant losses in trade with the United States” she told the Sunday editions of the Funke Media Group newspapers. “The negative consequences of the U.S. tariff policy don’t just affect U.S. companies and consumers in the form of higher prices; they also hit our export‑oriented businesses. The uncertainty about what actually applies is harming the economies on both sides of the Atlantic”.

Reiche urged that more free‑trade deals be finalized. “Malaysia, Indonesia, and other partners are ready on standby” she said. “The agreements need to be concluded swiftly and put into practice immediately”.