Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
German finance minister warns trade conflicts weaken global prosperity
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil warned that trade disputes cost prosperity worldwide.
He said tariffs and unfair competition also create instability.
Klingbeil is travelling to Bangkok for the International Monetary Fund and G20 finance ministers’ meetings.
He plans to present Germany as a reliable partner and call for open markets and shared rules.
His trip comes as global crises and economic uncertainty make international cooperation more important, he said.
Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan is travelling with him and said crises are occurring more often and affecting people around the world.
The ministers will use the Bangkok discussions to promote stronger international cooperation.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said trade conflicts, tariff disputes and competition distortions create instability and reduce prosperity worldwide.
He called for dialogue and reliable partnerships amid global crises and economic uncertainty.
Klingbeil said he would promote Germany as a reliable and attractive partner during discussions in Bangkok.
He cancelled the India leg of his Asia trip after Germany’s labour minister, Baerbel Bas, resigned.
German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan said acute crises are occurring more often and their consequences are increasingly felt around the world.
- Who
- German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil.
- What
- He warned that trade conflicts, tariff disputes and competition distortions cause instability and reduce prosperity worldwide.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- He made the remarks in Berlin ahead of meetings in Bangkok.
- Why
- He said dialogue, reliable partnerships, open markets and shared rules are important amid global crises and economic uncertainty.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Klingbeil cancelled the India leg of his Asia trip following Baerbel Bas’s resignation.
The ministry confirmed Klingbeil’s trip to Thailand, and he spoke in Berlin ahead of the Bangkok meetings.
- Speaker
- Lars Klingbeil
- Role
- German finance minister
- Statement location
- Berlin
- Upcoming destination
- Bangkok
- International meetings
- Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the G20 meeting of finance ministers
- Trip change
- India leg cancelled after Baerbel Bas resigned as labour minister and SPD co-head
What people are saying
In times of global crises and economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to build on dialogue and reliable partnerships,
Especially in such an uncertain world, we need strong partners, open markets, and shared rules,
Acute crises are occurring ever more frequently,
And their consequences are being felt around the world more often.