US election: Germans back Harris, fret over Trump return

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) – Germans are watching closely as the US gears up for its upcoming presidential election, with many expressing deep concern over the possibility of former President Donald Trump returning to office.

According to a survey by the Forsa Institute, 66% of Germans are worried about the possible reelection of Republican Trump, and an overwhelming 77% support Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Stefan Hetze, a commercial manager, hopes for a Harris win, recalling Trump’s 2017-2021 term as a period of scandals and diplomatic tensions.

“I think Germany looks to the US elections very anxiously, of course with concern as to what would happen if Trump wins,” Hetze told Anadolu.

“He has not achieved it yet, but if he wins, an escalation is already foreseeable. We already saw this in the past, how Trump viewed Germany while he was the president, how he treated our chancellor. That was already a scandal at that time.

“I think it would be a stroke of luck if Kamala Harris wins, definitely for Europe and for Germany as well.”

The relationship between Trump and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was marked by notable tensions, stemming from fundamental disagreements on policy and stark differences in leadership styles.

Trump’s “America First” policy often clashed with Merkel’s commitment to multilateralism and the EU. The former president’s criticism of Germany’s trade surplus with the US and his demands for increased NATO spending from European allies, particularly Berlin, further strained the relationship.

Lothar Koch, a retired German, pointed out that the 2021 attack on the US Capitol and Trump’s subsequent legal troubles have significantly eroded public trust in his commitment to democratic principles.

“I am very pessimistic. A Trump victory would be disastrous, not only for America but for the moral fabric of humanity as a whole,” Koch told Anadolu.

“The fact that someone with such a criminal record could be elected as president of such an influential nation should be alarming to everyone. Those who aren’t worried about this possibility should question themselves,” he said.

“It is actually a dire perspective and Europe is of course particularly affected, especially during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These are disastrous conditions, if Trump with his unbelievable ignorance becomes president again, it would be a catastrophe.”

- ‘Harris would be the better option’

Recent polls reveal a strong preference in Germany for Vice President Harris, apparently influenced by her statements on democratic principles, multilateralism and the importance of transatlantic ties.

Her emphasis on a multilateral approach and international cooperation stands in stark contrast to Trump’s much criticized unilateral approach.

“I hope that Kamala Harris wins. My daughter-in-law is from the US, and it is very important to us that Trump does not get another term in office,” Dzintra Kottmann, a senior consultant, told Anadolu.

A Harris win would be good for the US and its relations with Germany and Europe, she said.

“If Kamala Harris wins, things will hopefully work better again within NATO, the US would remain an active partner in NATO, there would be fewer tensions, and the overall political situation would calm down a bit,” she added.

Kottmann also pointed out that many women support Harris, as she would be the first woman to hold the highest US office.

“I think it is a big step for many Americans to vote for a woman. That is probably difficult for some, and I hope it works,” she said.

While many Germans prefer Harris over Trump, there is also a growing perception that Trump could emerge victorious, as his pledges to curb illegal immigration, cut taxes and boost investments are attracting American voters concerned about economic issues.

Carlos Sperling, a young student from Berlin, said while Harris’ win seems to be a much better outcome for Europe and Germany, Trump’s policy proposals to address domestic problems sound more reasonable.

“For the relationship between Germany and the US, I would clearly say that Harris would be the better option, because of these economic tariffs and things that Trump wants to impose, which would of course be problematic for our economy,” he explained.

“But if you look at it from the other perspective, from the American perspective, I have to say that Trump would be the better solution for American citizens. He cares more about the population, he wants them to earn more, there is a migration crisis in the US too, and then I have to say that Trump has better solutions for the population.”

- US elections crucial for Europe, Germany

German businesses are particularly worried about Trump’s plans to significantly increase tariffs on foreign imports, as the US remains the largest export market for German companies.

In 2023, exports to the US reached €158 billion ($171 billion), making up 10% of Germany’s total.

A recent survey by the Ifo Institute for Economic Research found that 44% of industrial companies in Germany expect negative effects on their operations if Trump becomes president.

This includes companies that do not themselves have direct export, import or production relations with the US, but could possibly be indirectly affected by Trump’s planned tariffs.

Bernd Althusmann, a former German conservative lawmaker, acknowledged potential challenges in US-Germany relations after the elections, but also expressed caution, stating that bilateral ties between the two NATO allies are strong enough to manage any potential differences.

“It’s a strong partnership between Germany and the US, and we have to work together whoever becomes the president. This strong relationship is for our security and for our economic development for the next years,” he told Anadolu.

Althusmann said the next US administration is likely to raise its expectations from Europe, and in particular from Germany, concerning foreign and defense policy, and international economic issues.

“These elections will have a high impact on the relationship between the North America, especially the US and the EU, and here for Germany,” he said.

“We have to work very hard in the next years to manage the crises worldwide, especially in the competition between Asia, especially China, and the US or North America and the European continent.”

Trump has vowed to continue his “America First” policies if reelected, emphasizing the need to protect American jobs and industries.

He has adopted a hardline stance on China and repeatedly said during his election campaign that he would impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports.

Regarding NATO, Trump has openly criticized Germany and European allies, insisting that they must boost their defense spending and assume more responsibility for international security, hinting that the US might reevaluate its commitment to NATO if European countries fail to share the burden.