Germany predicts GDP drop of 0.1 pct due to US tariff increase

An economic research institute in Berlin Friday predicted German GDP will decline by 0.1 percent this year, with losses likely to increase in subsequent years if U.S. President Donald Trump imposes a 50 percent tariff on all imports from the European Union (EU).

Trump on Friday accused the 27-member bloc of "taking advantage of the United States on trade" and being "very difficult to deal with" on his social platform Truth Social, and announced that he is "recommending a straight 50 percent tariff on the EU, starting on June 1, 2025."

The German Economic Institute said the imposition of 50 percent tariffs on EU products will cost the German economy about 200 billion euros by the end of 2028, while losses could increase to 250 billion euros if the EU imposes retaliatory tariffs.

The institute said that the United States would also be affected by its own tariff policy due to its reliance on certain German imports and difficulty in finding alternatives.

Germany predicts GDP drop of 0.1 pct due to US tariff increase

Germany predicts GDP drop of 0.1 pct due to US tariff increase

Germany predicts GDP drop of 0.1 pct due to US tariff increase

Germany predicts GDP drop of 0.1 pct due to US tariff increase

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media