US Tariffs Continue to Hurt German Industry, Survey Finds

A new survey shows that US tariffs are still causing problems for the German Industry. Many factories say the extra costs are making it harder to grow and plan for the future.

The survey was done by the ifo Institute in Germany. Around 1,800 manufacturing companies took part. It found that 62 percent of the companies said US tariffs had a bad effect on their business.

The biggest problems were seen in the car and machine industries. More than 70 percent of these companies said the tariffs had hurt their work.

Many businesses now believe the tariffs will stay in place for a long time. Because of this, some companies are waiting before starting new projects. Nearly 40 percent said they had delayed, canceled or moved investment plans. Some also stopped projects that were planned in Germany.

Many exporters are also raising prices. About 34 percent said they passed all of the extra tariff costs to customers in the United States. Another 28 percent said they passed on more than half of the added costs.

Business leaders say the long wait for changes is making it harder to make big money decisions. They want a more stable trade system so they can invest with greater confidence.

The survey shows that US tariffs are still putting pressure on the German Industry. Many companies are changing their plans and looking for ways to deal with higher costs while hoping for better trade conditions in the future.