German Federal Chancellery says Merz emphasizes industrial competitiveness - Speech Brief
20 May 2026 11:17 UTC · German Federal Chancellery · German Chancellor Speech · Source · Email X Link

German Federal Chancellery says Merz emphasizes industrial competitiveness

Key points

  • Artificial intelligence and microelectronics are key technologies
  • Government will pursue investment incentives, reduce bureaucracy, and deepen the European single market

TL;DR

  • Merz thanked the electrical and digital industry for 2% production growth last year.
  • The electrical and digital industry generates over 200 billion euros in sales, more than 5% of Germany’s economic output.
  • Federal government has eased depreciation rules, plans medium-term corporate tax reductions, and adopted a power plant strategy for new gas-fired plants.
  • Federal government promotes industrial AI nationally and at EU level and secured large exemptions for machines in the EU AI Act.
Original text

Künstliche Intelligenz und die Mikroelektronik seien die Schlüsseltechnologien für die Elektro- und Metallindustrie, betonte Kanzler Merz. Foto: Bundesregierung/Johannssen Ein Produktionswachstum im letzten Jahr von zwei Prozent - und dies gegen den allgemeinen Trend: Für diese Leistung der Elektro- und Digitalindustrie bedankte sich Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz bei seiner Rede beim Verbandstreffen ZVEI-Summit 2026 i...

Entities