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Wüst strengthens transatlantic relations: US industry in focus!
Prime Minister Wüst emphasizes the importance of transatlantic relations at meetings with US companies in North Rhine-Westphalia on May 20, 2025.
Wüst strengthens transatlantic relations: US industry in focus!
Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst received representatives from leading US companies in the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia on May 20, 2025. The companies in attendance included big names such as Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, 3M, Amazon and Ford. The aim of the meeting was to honor the commitment of these companies in North Rhine-Westphalia and to strengthen relations with the USA.
The meeting underlined the importance of the transatlantic dialogue, which was already conducted intensively in April 2024 during Wüst's trip to the USA. Wüst emphasized the central role of the transatlantic partnership for North Rhine-Westphalia, especially with regard to the negative effects of import tariffs on jobs and investments.
Trade relations and challenges
North Rhine-Westphalia relies on fair trade relationships, with 7% of exports going to the USA. The trade volume with the USA amounts to 32.9 billion euros, of which 17.4 billion euros are imports and 15.5 billion euros are exports. Wüst highlighted that the country is also indirectly affected by the US government's global tariff policy and emphasized that tariffs could have adverse effects in the medium to long term if the trade conflict does not de-escalate.
The state government is therefore committed to the EU for the interests of North Rhine-Westphalia's industry and employees. The USA is now North Rhine-Westphalia's third largest trading partner, after the Netherlands and China.
US companies in North Rhine-Westphalia
There are around 1,800 US companies based in North Rhine-Westphalia that employ around 200,000 people. In order to further strengthen the relationships, there are already a large number of cooperations: 260 university cooperations, 110 school partnerships and 33 municipal cooperations and city partnerships. These connections are an essential element in promoting economic cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and the USA nrw-usa.nrw reported.
In summary, it can be said that Prime Minister Wüst's meeting with representatives of US companies not only served to appreciate the existing commitment, but also served as a platform for future cooperation and strengthening transatlantic relations. Exchange is becoming increasingly important, especially in times of global trade conflicts.