Reflections on my recent travel through Germany

JR BECHTLE & Co. | May 2026 | Publications

Reflections on my recent travel through Germany

Having just spent the last two weeks traveling in Germany, it’s time to take stock on what was observed and spoken about, and share some personal insights. The first stop was the Hannover Fair where Brazil was this year’s Partner Country with a big presence.

In addition to checking in with a number of current and past clients, I was also able to talk to many others in a variety of industries. The Chancellor was there, too, and gave a pep talk: “Germany, yes, we can!” That being said, the mood overall was less exuberant, reflecting longer-term economic difficulties and the recent exacerbation of structural challenges due to the war in Iran.

A highlight was meeting up with our partner in Shanghai, Joe WEHRLE. We talked and walked the show together, and paid a visit to the busy ‘The Länd’ booth representing Baden-Württemberg. This is Joe’s home area, and my adopted second home.

Later, in meetings from North to South and East to West across the country, I detected no lack of interest in the U.S. There is, though, a great deal of caution about investing due to uncertainty and inconsistency in trade barriers. Ironically, many long-planned production expansions in the U.S. are now on hold due to tariffs, which ostensibly are supposed to promote manufacturing here.

Despite these hindrances, plans are still afoot among German firms to maintain and expand their American presence. Besides tariffs and political and legal uncertainties, the real growth barrier for these firms is finding the right skilled labor. This shortage affects domestic firms as well, and no near-term relief is in sight.

On a personal note, each time I travel in this beautiful country I catch myself being thankful that this is part of my job. This trip was made even nicer by the sunny and mild spring weather, and views of blazing yellow rapeseed fields and blossoming trees and flowers. Even the Autobahn traffic flowed for a change. I spent the middle weekend in Heilbronn with old friends and got in a Neckar River boat tour and a visit to the Ludwigsburg Palace and surrounding gardens. Of course I also managed to get myself, as I’m wont to do over there, into my ‘Happy Place’ – sitting with friends outdoors in a beer garden having a cold one or two.

Moral of the story: German firms will maintain and build on their presence in the U.S. marketplace regardless of tariffs and other legal uncertainties. A key challenge will be getting enough qualified people for their operations. Also: Germany remains gorgeous, from one end to the other.

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