• • September 15, 2025
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• • September 15, 2025

On September 15, 2025, Aspen Germany hosted the final virtual workshop of the 2024-2025 German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue series. Titled “Between Merz, Trump, and a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape: How to Modernize the Transatlantic Relationship,” the workshop featured high-level speakers from the United States, Germany, and the EU. The speakers discussed Friedrich Merz’s approach to Germany’s relationship with the United States as well as the current trade and tariff negotiations. Additionally, the workshop featured two breakout sessions: one on the topic of “Research, Regulation, and Rivalry: Rethinking Transatlantic Research Cooperation” and the other on the issue of “Turbulence Ahead? Managing Airspace and Aviation Amid Geopolitical and Environmental Pressures.” The workshop aimed to convene high-level decision makers from across the Atlantic to address some of the most significant issues impacting transatlantic trade and technology relationships. We are pleased to have welcomed the following speakers: Antonia Barthel, Senior Manager Global Public Affairs & Geopolitics, Bayer AG, Christian Forwick, Deputy Director-General for External Economic Relations, Trade Policy and America, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Oliver Haack, Director, Public Affairs Germany, Airbus Commercial Aircraft, Natalie Hartman, Founder and Principal of Capitol Point Group, LLC, Rufino Hurtado, Senior Trade Representative to the European Union, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Cordula Kleidt, Head of Department, German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, Dr. Joachim Lang, Chief Executive Officer, BDL, Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse, Professor of International Politics and Director of the Center for Transnational Relations, Foreign and Security Policy, FU Berlin, and  Sebastian Roloff, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD) and Economic Policy Spokesperson for the SPD Fraction in the Bundestag.