BERLIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) — Forty-four percent of the more than 3,500 German companies surveyed in around 90 countries and regions reported negative or strongly negative impacts from U.S. trade policies, according to the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) on Thursday.
DIHK said in a report that overall sentiment has improved compared with the spring, when 60 percent said they were affected. However, for German companies with operations in North America, the pressure remains pronounced, with about 76 percent still reporting negative effects.
“U.S. trade policy continues to have a noticeable impact worldwide,” the DIHK said, adding that the uncertainty in the economy “about the unpredictable and burdensome measures from Washington has now given way to a phase of disillusionment and strategic adjustment.”
Investment plans in the United States have been hit particularly hard. Only 24 percent of surveyed firms plan to increase investment there, down sharply from 37 percent a year earlier, the report showed.
Facing mounting risks, many firms are shifting investment towards faster-growing or more promising markets.
