Idaho’s relationship with Germany began when Germans first arrived to the Idaho Territory as miners, assayers, farmers, brewers and bakers in the 1860s. Thereafter, German immigrants continued to settle in Idaho, bringing with them brass bands, Oktoberfest and the Feast of St. Nicholas. These traditions endure. It is estimated that one-fifth of all Idahoans have German ancestry, making them the state’s second-largest ethnic group. Thus, it stands to reason that town hall meetings to discuss the significance and future of this critical transatlantic relationship have landed in Boise. Today, Germany and the United States maintain a range of partnerships in all areas of society — business and industry, foreign and defense policy, science and academia. Much of the cooperation occurs with little fanfare or visibility...
“Strengthening the European Transatlantic Pillar: Can Germany lead in Europe without Dominating?” From Blissful Isolation from world events to Guardian of the Order Prof. James D. Bindenagel, former U.S. Ambassador and Henry Kissinger Professor for International Security and Governance, University of Bonn A perfect storm of combined challenges of growing multipolarity, rising unilateralism, and global threats is changing rapidly the world order that has been in place for decades. The transatlantic partnership -- the United States, Canada and much of Europe -- have constituted a vast zone of peace, prosperity, and democracy for the most of the last 70 years. The transatlantic community has grown to over 900 million inhabitants of more than 30 countries and has set an example for regional cooperation in Africa, Latin America,...
30 Years Since the Fall of the Wall 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, setting into motion the unification of Germany. To recognize the significance of this historic event, each month the American Council on Germany will feature individuals as they reflect on life before and after the fall of the Wall. ACG Board member Ambassador Richard W. Fisher (1977 Young Leader) served at the 12th President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from April 4, 2005, to March 19, 2015. He was an Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury during the Carter Administration and later served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, overseeing the implementation of NAFTA and helping negotiate the bilateral accords for China’s and Taiwan’s accession to the...
DÜSSELDORF, Germany — President Donald Trump’s Section 232 tariffs and quotas on imported steel and aluminium from the European Union show no signs of going away soon, according to trade policy and industry experts in Germany. While Section 232 measures were welcomed by many US steel producers, fears are mounting outside the United States that they could also be applied to automobiles and auto parts. Any such move would increase tension in relations with EU allies, interviewees in Germany said. Some also see a threat to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and consequently question whether the US is still a reliable trade partner. Read more
For many years Germany has been an important trading partner for the state of Tennessee and the largest European investor. (Photo: Larry McCormack / tennessean) STORY HIGHLIGHTS Matthias Heider is chair of the Germany-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group in the German Bundestag. Bob Clement is a former U.S. representative from Tennessee, serving 1988 to 2003. Steven E. Sokol is president of the American Council on Germany. Peter Weichlein is CEO of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. Founded in 1980, last year’s 39th Oktoberfest welcomed a quarter of a million people to Nashville to enjoy German bratwurst and beer and to celebrate German culture, music, and traditions. Since more than 45 million Americans can claim German ancestry, it’s not surprising that so many Tennesseans...
