Christian Lindner

Germany no longer depends on Russian imports for its energy supply, the country's Finance Minister has told The Bbc .

Christian Lindner said Germany had completely diversified its energy infrastructure since Russia's invasion of Ukraine Last Year .

Following The Invasion , Russia turned off the gas taps to Europe, leading to fears of blackouts this winter.

But Germany had found new sources of energy, Mr Lindner said.

" Yes, of course Germany is still dependent on energy imports, But today, not from Russian imports But from global markets, " He Said .

Germany previously imported around half of its gas from Russia.

At The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Lindner pointed to the speed with which a new liquified natural gas terminal had been built in Germany - in a record of around eight months, He Said . More infrastructure investments were planned, he added.

" This is only [one] example of the enormous change in German policies, " He Said .

" We have understood that we have to foster our competitiveness after the era of Chancellor Merkel. That era was focused on, well, strengths of The Past , and now We Are developing strengths of The Future , " He Said .

Mr Lindner struck an optimistic note, suggesting there was " some evidence" that inflation in Germany had reached its peak Last Year .

" Probably there's a faster recovery of the global economy and European economies than expected, " He Said .

However, potential for a damaging trade row between the EU and the US over green subsidies remains.

A New Law introduced by President Biden Last Year takes action to tackle Climate Change . However, it includes some " made In America " rules. That means businesses from outside the US that are not eligible for that support are at a disadvantage.

Mr Lindner said he did not want to see the European Union start a trade war with the US over those rules.

Some European politicians have proposed responding with rival " buy European" incentives.

But Mr Lindner said he did not support that strategy.

" We have to avoid any kind of Competition - who is able to pay more subsidies, " He Said . " It mustn't happen. "

Mr Lindner's comments signal The Challenges that lie ahead as Europe tries to develop a response to the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Law , passed in August, steers about $370bn (£299bn) in investments to climate-friendly technologies, and includes tax credits for electric cars that are made In America .

It has come in for fierce criticism from French president Emmanuel Macron , who called it " super aggressive" and raised concerns with Mr Biden during a visit to Washington last month.

European Union officials This Week promised " decisive" steps in response.

Mr Lindner said maintaining A Level playing field was important, But he wanted to see the Two Sides negotiate exemptions for companies or develop a new trade deal, rather than try to out-subsidise each other.

" There is a threat for The Level playing field and I take this seriously But . . We Are spending and investing much More Than the US-side so we don't have to Be Afraid , " He Said .

" Some in the European context, they see the Inflation Reduction Act as the occasion to introduce policies they've proposed in The Past , and I think it is an occasion to strengthen our competitiveness at the European level, make further progress on capital markets union, to negotiate with the US Side A free trade Agreement - But not pay more subsidies, " He Said .

Unlike the big French car companies, many German firms already have a big presence in the US, including manufacturing plants.

The " made In America " rules have prompted a pushback even from some American companies, many of which rely on parts manufactured in other Countries .

Source of news: bbc.com