[APK 2026] ‘Tech beats tariffs’: German industry chiefs demand faster reforms

European industrial leaders warned Saturday that excessive regulation and years of stagnant growth are eroding the region’s competitiveness, urging faster decision-making and pointing to South Korea’s manufacturing prowess as a model. Speaking at a breakfast session of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, executives from BASF, DHL Group and Hager Group discussed how businesses can navigate rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty. Despite mounting trade barriers