Episode 68: U.S.-German Economic Relations and a Changing Global Landscape

On this episode of The Zeitgeist, AICGS President Jeff Rathke and Peter Rashish, Director of the AICGS Geoeconomics Program, discuss the state of German-American economic relations and the countries’ shared global challenges with Karl Haeusgen, president of the VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association). Has the trade and economic relationship between Germany and the United States changed amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing strategic competition with China? With the rise of concepts like “friendshoring,” what should transatlantic policy makers focus on as they navigate the nexus of economic and national security policy? How should Germany approach the energy transition with industrial and social impacts in mind? And is the rules-based international trading system or even globalization itself still adequate? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest Karl Haeusgen, President, VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) Peter Rashish, AICGS Senior Fellow; Director, Geoeconomics Program