As Trump tariffs roil trade, Germany pitches India-EU pact

Davos: Days before the signing of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said “the era of great powers” presents an opportunity for countries favouring regulations to join forces against protectionism and isolationism. In a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here, the chancellor said he wants high growth in Europe and will do everything possible to achieve that. “In a few days, the President of the European Commission will travel to India to establish the principles of a free trade agreement between the subcontinent and the European Union,” he said. “I was in India a week ago, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the era of great powers presents an opportunity for all of us and for all countries that favour regulations above arbitrary rule and see benefit in free trade than in protectionism and isolationism.”