At the end of 2019, Germany’s net external assets stood at €2,472 billion, thus amounting to almost 72% of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The German net external asset position rose by €345 billion year-on-year.

The Bundesbank celebrated its 60th anniversary by hosting an open day in Frankfurt am Main on 1 and 2 July. Around 28,000 visitors eager to gather their own impressions of the Bundesbank flocked to the bank’s Central Office and its Regional Office in Hesse to experience a rich variety of informative and entertaining attractions.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has conflicting views on the United States’ decision to initially exempt the European Union from the recently enacted tariffs on steel and aluminium. Though it avoided an open trade conflict, the agreement reached between the United States and the EU was no victory for international free trade, Mr Weidmann explained during a speech in Vienna.

According to Bundesbank Executive Board member Joachim Wuermeling new risks are emerging and will determine the Basel Agenda. “I am thinking of climate risks in banks’ balance sheets or risks stemming from crypto assets as well as new players like BigTechs expanding to banking business”, he said at an event in Washington D.C.

Historisch bedeutsame Münzen aus der Zeit des Westfälischen Friedens sind bis zum 25. August im Stadtmuseum in Münster zu sehen. Die Exponate aus der Sammlung der Bundesbank zeigen bedeutende Personen des Dreißigjährigen Krieges.

Germany’s net international investment position stood at €2,073 billion at the end of 2018, thus amounting to around 62% of nominal gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €281 billion year-on-year.