Election campaign in America: “I don’t read Trump tweets”

–

–

–

The second was better than the first, but the bar was low. Trump was a disaster at the first debate, but I found it from too Biden not okay to call the incumbent president a “clown,” even if I could understand him in some ways. The second debate was not only better in form but also in content, but the bottom line was that I found it disappointing. I would have liked more substance on important topics. For example, how to bring the economy forward again or how to contain the second corona wave. It also bothers me when it gets so personal, for example Trump’s allegations about Biden’s son. They should talk about their programs, but that was rather thin.

In your opinion, does the debate still have an impact on the outcome of the election?

I don’t think much. Around 50 million Americans have already voted. And the positions were still the same. Trump is Trump. Biden is not a strong candidate, but managed to get through without dropouts.

How do you think the election will turn out today?

I’d rather not give a prognosis, like many others I’m a burned child. I think anything is possible and who knows what will happen in the next few days.

How is your balance of Trump’s tenure from an economic point of view?

There are good and bad. In any case, it is negative that America sought conflict with Europe. For example, with import duties or visa restrictions, which have made it more difficult to bring skilled workers to America.

And what do you see positively?

First of all, the tax reform. I would like to see corporate tax reform in Germany too. I also think the deregulation under Trump is good, although I specifically exclude environmental issues. I think you had to start addressing the topic of China at one point or another, even if I don’t necessarily agree with how Trump did it.

What should he have done differently in dealing with China?

As always with him: Less erratic, more with a clear strategy. Less in public, more with negotiations. We should try to find a balance on how we can defend intellectual property in China on the one hand and open the country to foreign companies, but not completely barricade the local market with customs duties and import restrictions.

Keyword China: How did you find the events surrounding the Tiktok smartphone app? So first the threat of a ban and then the forging of an alliance with American companies?

That too was too erratic for me, and the government exercised too much influence in the takeover negotiations. I also generally have a problem with simply banning something, and I think that things should not be carried out too much in public. I think the Chinese would react better if you did it without public pressure.