Trump's customs policy meets high export companies in South Hesse
The current economic survey "Going International 2025" by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) shows that in addition to the continuing recession in Germany, South Hessian companies are also increasingly under pressure through global barriers. The developments in the United States in particular are preparing industry - a region that has so far been considered a strong trading partner.
US customs policy provides uncertainty in South Hesse
"The growing trading barriers and the leaking politics of the Trump administration create an unprecedented uncertainty," explains Robert Lippmann, general manager of the IHK Darmstadt. Around 70 percent of the companies surveyed fear negative effects of US trade policy on their business.
Last year the United States was considered a hopeful. Now punitive tariffs threaten new regulations and difficult market access. South Hesse is particularly affected: 65 percent of the sales of industry in the region come from abroad - a significantly higher proportion than in the Hessian average.
Protectionism and bureaucracy inhibit international business
The survey shows that protectionist tendencies are also increasing outside of North America. Sales such as certification regulations, new regulations or higher tariffs make market access difficult. At the same time, national requirements burden the exportability of German companies:
- 83 percent of companies report significant bureaucratic hurdles.
- Problems, among other things, are causing the supply chain duty law (LKSG) , the packaging guideline and the CO₂ border compensation mechanism (CBAM) .
- 43 percent of the companies criticize long approval times at the BAFA (Federal Office for Economics and Export Control) .
IHK calls for better framework conditions for foreign trade
"The companies in our region need planning security, less bureaucracy and new free trade agreements," says Lippmann. The IHK Darmstadt calls on the Federal Government to use the existing scope for action and to structure the framework conditions for international trade structurally.
Further information on the DIHK survey "Going International 2025" is available www.dihk.de.
(Darmstadt - Red/IHK)
