Storyline: The United States' unpredictable tariff policies have sparked concern in Germany, with many local officials believing now is the time for Germany to further strengthen cooperation with China given the increasing global economic uncertainties. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imports before unveiling higher rates on certain trading partners. After several days of chaos on the global financial markets, Trump on Wednesday suddenly announced a 90-day pause of the higher tariff rates to all countries except China. Monika Bottcher, the Mayor of Maintal, a city located in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main Region in Germany's industrial heartland, voiced concerns about the potential economic fallout, given how the region is significantly dependent on an export-oriented economy. Meanwhile, Andreas Hofmann, first deputy head of the neighboring Main-Kinzig District, echoed these views and stressed the need for cooperative solutions to be found amid the current trade disputes. Against the backdrop of rising global economic uncertainty due to the U.S. tariff policies, local business leaders emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation with China, who has been Germany's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. The two countries' economies are deemed to be highly complementary, with their economic and trade relations being highly integrated. Another sign of these close ties came on Tuesday, when the Hongfa Group, a globally renowned relay manufacturer based in east China's coastal city of Xiamen, introduced its first fully automated production line for European exports to the city of Maintal. Shotlist: Frankfurt, Germany - April 9, 2025: 1. Various of city view Frankfurt, Germany - April 8, 2025: 2. SOUNDBITE (German) Monika Bottcher, Mayor of Maintal (ending with shot 3): "It is of great significance to establish free trade relations on a global scale. We have been closely monitoring and are deeply concerned about the current tariff policies of the United States." Frankfurt, Germany - April 9, 2025: 3. Various of city view, Main River Frankfurt, Germany - April 8, 2025: 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Andreas Hofmann, first deputy head of Main-Kinzig District: "I think it's important that we work worldwide together and find ways to make trade fair over the whole world. And that's a very important point for us Germans too. I think it would be good when the U.S. government comes back to negotiations that we can work together and have an economic system that is working together." Frankfurt, Germany - April 9, 2025: 5. Various of city view, Main River Frankfurt, Germany - April 8, 2025: 6. SOUNDBITE (German) Monika Bottcher, Mayor of Maintal: "The cooperation between Chinese enterprise Hongfa and Maintal is a successful example. I must say that the relationship between Chinese companies and Germany is very good and very solid." Frankfurt, Germany - April 9, 2025: 7. Various of city view. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]