Views: Congressman Ted Deutch
An interview on 25 years of German unity
Congressman and co-chair of the United States Congressional Study Group on Germany on transatlantic partnerships and his impressions of Germany.
How would you evaluate the German-American Partnership in the year 2015 – 25 years after German reunification?
Germany’s rise as a prominent global actor since reunification is remarkable. In the fields of economics, trade, security cooperation, and research and development, Germany has become a valuable and effective partner with the United States. The United States can turn to Germany to find a reliable ally that shares our values and interests, particularly when confronting many of the major issues facing the world today, from the Iranian nuclear negotiations to the slowly recovering European regional economy.
Just in May you were visiting Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. What kind of impressions did you gain of contemporary Germany?
As a new co-chair of the United States Congressional Study Group on Germany, I deeply appreciated the opportunity to engage on an individual basis with members of the Bundestag, local business owners and workers, academics, and non-governmental actors. Often, the issues pertinent to each of them were similar to those held by their American counterparts. I came away with a better understanding of the complexities and distinctiveness of German society and the effect of history and geopolitics in shaping the range of views of the German people. From the remarkable rebuilding of Dresden to the reunification of Berlin, members of the Bundestag impressed upon me the important role of recognizing where Germany was and the country’s incredible opportunities now and into the future.
As co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Germany you are working on the future of the transatlantic relations. What are in your view the crucial challenges of this partnership?
For the many similarities between the United States and Germany, I think it is important to always consider the differences as well. While our countries see eye to eye on many issues, from regional and global security threats to the importance of renewable energy and many in between, we are distinct countries. As close allies, it is important to consider and respect those differences, and work together on regional and global issues to find the best resolution that is also mutually beneficial.
