Peter Altmaier

Alemania elogió hoy los acuerdos comerciales entre la Unión Europea (UE) y diversos países latinoamericanos horas antes de la inauguración del Congreso de Latinoamérica que se celebra anualmente y que en esta edición tenía como invitado especial al presidente ecuatoriano, Lenín Moreno.

The German economy minister has described China as a partner and competitor. He said it is time to establish better trade rules that don't put European companies at a disadvantage.

Despite a poor end to 2018, the first quarter has seen a rise in GDP. The growth comes thanks to strong consumer spending and a boom in the construction industry, according to figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

The German government is forecasting significantly weaker economic growth this year. The economics minister says the new figures are a "wake up call."

Germany will put on a show of unity with the United States in talks this week over importing natural gas, as Berlin battles accusations that a pipeline now under construction will deepen European energy dependence on Russia.