Trump returns: unrest in Rhineland-Palatinate threatens!

Donald Trump will be introduced to office on January 20, 2025 as 47th President of the United States. In Rhineland-Palatinate, more restless times could be imminent because Trump announced new tariffs in the election campaign, which in particular could affect the wine industry. A partial deduction of US soldiers from the region is also conceivable, which could strongly affect the local economy. Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer expresses that the relationship between the United States could change to many countries and that closer cooperation with European neighbors will be necessary.

Rhineland-Palatinate traditionally has close relationships with the United States, which are described as robust. BASF, the largest employer in Rhineland-Palatinate with over 13,000 employees in the USA, plans to wait for the steps of the new US administration. Daimler Truck emphasizes the need for reliable political framework and plans to expand relationships with the new US government. The wine industry in Rhineland-Palatinate suffered during Trump's first term from elevated tariffs that were introduced in 2019 on German wine in the USA. In 2023, about 10 percent of exports from Rhineland-Palatinate went into the USA.

implications for the local economy

Waiting for the developments under Trump means that companies check alternatives, such as starting the market in Africa and Asia or the relocation of production facilities to the USA. Trump has personal roots in the Palatinate because his ancestors come from Kallstadt, and visited the Ramstein US base in 2018 and in 2019.

A separate visit to Trump in Rhineland-Palatinate is not excluded, possibly in connection with the construction of a new US hospital in Weilerbach, the opening of which is planned for 2027. Prime Minister Schweitzer emphasizes that political changes in the United States have changes that have to deal with Rhineland-Palatinate. America expert John Constance from the Atlantic Academy in Kaiserslautern commented on the US military presence in the West Palatinate under Trump and does not expect any major changes in the US military. The Air Base Ramstein remains important for the USA.

A deduction of troops could severely affect the local economy, since American military people bring around $ two billion to the region every year. The loss of these funds would be problematic for the structurally weak region West Palatinate. Constance explains that despite the uncertainties at Trump, no deductions of individual units are currently expected, but warns that Trump can never be sure. The Federal Government must adjust to a rougher tone from Washington, which is in contrast to the friendly way of bidding administration.

Special attention also applies that higher tariffs could affect imports from Germany and the EU regional companies. Constance believes that regional companies have to adapt but will not necessarily go bankrupt.