Germany’s trade surplus: leader’s burden

Someone at last has said out loud what others are thinking: there is a German problem in Europe. Christine Lagarde says Germany’s trade surplus, and persistent reluctance to significantly boost domestic demand, are a burden for the rest of the European Union. The French finance minister may come under fire for her blunt language and lack of diplomatic skills. But she has a point. It’s time for Germany to accept that its economic leadership of the euro zone comes with responsibilities, too. From ...