In order to react more flexibly to crises, Prime Minister Kretschmann believes that the Baden-Württemberg economy must break away from overly one-sided trade relations. He already has an alternative to the economic giant China in mind.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) has called on companies in the state to be more careful when dealing with China and to give more consideration to other sales markets. “We have to become more independent of China,” said Kretschmann in an interview with the “Badische Zeitung” (Friday). For years he has been campaigning for businesses to focus more on India. “Today this meets with significantly more approval than it did a few years ago,” said the head of government. You will have to continue trading with states “that are not democratic. But we must not make ourselves dependent on them.”
According to the latest figures from the State Statistical Office, trade relations between Baden-Württemberg and China have increased significantly over the past few decades. In 2021, the Asian country was one of Baden-Württemberg’s most important trading partners. Motor vehicles and vehicle parts as well as machines from Baden-Württemberg are in particularly high demand. However, the production of many electronic devices and cars in Baden-Württemberg also depends on supplier parts or raw materials from China.
