“I will today be making my second trip to Washington since the new administration took office. I want to reaffirm that we are interested in good and close transatlantic relations based on trust, and I want to deepen our conversation with our American partners.

Since President Trump assumed office, many members of the new US administration have made clear – also after intensive discussions with us – that they have a great interest in a united and strong Europe, and that they fully support the transatlantic partnership we have in NATO. All of this is good, and must by no means be taken for granted. We are, however, concerned by the fact that Washington is not firmly committed to free trade, as became evident recently during the meeting of G7 finance ministers.

Everyone benefits from open markets and from a fair, multilateral trade system. German corporations’ role in the United States is not only competitive. Through investments and innovation, we create hundreds of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships there. That’s why I’m pleased we will have the opportunity to visit Pittsburgh, where we will see first hand how structural change can succeed, also with the participation of German firms.

Afterwards, I will on Thursday evening be travelling to Mexico, an important partner in the G20 and the OECD, as well as one of the most important countries in the world for German foreign investment. Mexico is already home to some 2000 companies in which German corporations hold an interest. I am also glad that, next year, Mexico will be the first Partner Country from Latin America at HANNOVER MESSE, where it can showcase itself as a prime location for business and investment.”