Is Germany OK?

Published: Aug. 22, 2019, 2:30 a.m.

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It\\u2019s known for precision and punctuality but Europe\\u2019s engine is slowing down. Germany\\u2019s economy relies heavily on selling its products abroad. Famed for luxury cars like Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, exports are nearly half the German economy. So if countries decide they don\\u2019t want to buy, or can\\u2019t afford to buy, the things that Germany makes, it\\u2019s a problem. And that\\u2019s what\\u2019s been happening to Germany today. China \\u2013 the most important market for most German car makers - is slowing down. Much of Europe is struggling and the US is pursuing its own protectionist policies, to get Americans to buy US-made goods.

On top of that, the German car industry is facing tough new EU emissions tests (prompted by the Volkswagen emissions\\u2019 scandal of 2015), with crippling penalties if they don\\u2019t comply. So, buffeted by these adverse winds in part self-inflicted, in part beyond its control, the German government is being urged to boost its economy at home \\u2013 by spending more on roads, bridges and broadband networks. But, as Neal Razzell discovers, despite having plenty of cash in the coffers, events in its past means Germany is reluctant to loosen the purse strings.

Picture: German sports fan / Credit: Getty images

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