German deputy prime minister: EU needs to take a tougher stance in trade negotiations with the United States.

German Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated in Washington, D.C. on August 4th that the European Union had been too weak in its trade negotiations with the United States and should take a stronger stance. Klingbeil said before meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that there were still many aspects of the trade agreement reached last month between the EU and the U.S. that needed clarification. "We need to get tougher," Klingbeil said, "so that we can have more confident dialogue with the U.S." Klingbeil also stated that the EU needs to find a way to quickly resolve trade conflicts with the U.S., as businesses require certainty when making plans.