Salzburg industry expects US trade ties to remain strained

Salzburg’s industry does not expect the US election results to ease trade relations with Europe soon, ORF reported. Industry representatives say businesses will continue to face difficult conditions, after exports from Salzburg to the United States fell by nearly 30% last year.

Andreas Wimmer, president of the Salzburg branch of the Federation of Austrian Industries, described the Democrats’ recent election gains as historic but said he did not expect a quick improvement in trade relations. Many Salzburg companies have sought new markets, including in Australia and Brazil, according to the Austrian Economic Chamber.

Martin Weiss, Austria’s former ambassador to Washington and now president of Salzburg Global at Schloss Leopoldskron, also expects no immediate easing. He said Europe and Salzburg could face another two difficult years if US President Donald Trump and the two chambers of Congress, now with Democratic majorities, block each other.

Trump has said he will accept the election result but will continue to use his veto power. Whether the changed balance in Congress will improve trade relations remains unclear. The result also surprised some Americans living in Salzburg.