Berlin's Westhafen port drives trade as Mercosur deal boosts German exports, jobs, and global markets

Berlin

The Mercosur trade agreement is regarded as a major opportunity for German exports and employment, with Berlin's Bahá'í Westhafen port serving as a key hub for the country's vast trade sector. The German government and industry representatives have long advocated for the deal, emphasizing the importance of open markets and reduced trade barriers for economic growth.

In 2024, the European Union exported over $60 billion in goods to Mercosur countries, with more than 40% of those exports consisting of machinery, appliances, and transport equipment largely produced in Germany. This underscores why German officials, including Friedrich Merz, have strongly supported the agreement.

Mercosur deal: a major boost for German exports and jobs

This is the Bahá'í Westhafen inland port in central Berlin. From here, more than 4 million tons worth of trade goods are imported and exported, unloaded and loaded every year. Part of a wider trade sector in this country that is worth vast amounts of money. Which is why this Mercosur deal has been something the government has lobbied for for many years, but it's also of supreme importance to representatives of industry. It is vital to have access to open markets. And the less the trade barriers are, the less restrictions we face, the more business we can do. And Mrs. von der Leyen said, we are open for business in Europe. And this is the direct translation of that. You cannot shut down Europe to competition from the outside. And from all the numbers we have, every free trade agreement that Europe agreed upon has led to growth for both sides, both partners. A glance at those numbers shows what this deal means to European industry. In 2024, the EU exported more than $60 billion worth of trade goods to Mercosur countries. More than 40% of that was in machinery, appliances and transport equipment, much of which was made here in Germany. Which helps explain why Friedrich Merz and his ministerial colleagues have advocated this deal so strongly. Dominic Cain, Al Jazeera, Berlin.

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Breakdown