In the tariff dispute between the EU and the USA, economist Achim Truger advocates a hard line.

If no agreement is reached by the end of July, the agreed "countermeasures must be taken immediately," Truger told "Focus." Furthermore, the EU must then "also be prepared for further escalation, for example by taking measures against US digital corporations." The goal must be to "credibly demonstrate that we will not allow ourselves to be pushed around by Trump," the economist said. US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that tariffs of 30 percent each would be imposed on the EU and Mexico starting August 1.

Despite the statement, the EU Commission postponed the planned countermeasures against US companies on Sunday until the beginning of August. In light of the hardened fronts, Truger warned of the potential consequences of high tariffs for the German economy. According to "current estimates," the 30 percent tariffs now threatened by Trump "could mean a 0.5 percent hit to GDP," Truger told "Focus." The impact of the federal government's multi-billion dollar package passed "on overall economic output would also be significantly weakened."