Europe Must Stand Up for Itself in Global Economy, Germany Says

Lars Klingbeil leaves the Elysee Presidential Palace after meeting with France’s President on the sidelines of G7 discussions in Paris on May 18.Photographer: Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Europe must assert its own interests against global competitors with measures such as favoring companies from the region.

Speaking a day after his French counterpart, Roland Lescure, called for his own country’s carmakers to favor local suppliers, the German vice chancellor signaled to reporters in Paris that he’s in favor of a similar approach.