Trump's Tariffs Loom Large Over Significant German Trade Exhibition
The tariffs imposed by the U.S. President on Chinese products raise apprehensions among exhibitors and purchasers at Europe's largest design and housewares fair.
The recent tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese goods have become a central topic of conversation among the tens of thousands of exhibitors and buyers at Europe's largest exhibition for design, housewares, gifts, holiday products, and electrical appliances, which ended yesterday in Frankfurt, Germany.
Exhibitors and buyers from China seemed particularly apprehensive, while Israeli exhibitors pointed out the benefits of Israel's trade agreements with the U.S. and Europe, looking forward to potential advantages for Israeli industries and commerce as a result of Trump's tariffs.
The 'Ambiente' exhibition, combined with 'Creativeworld' and 'Christmasworld,' is celebrated for its prestige in design, crafts, and housewares in Europe, ranking among the largest globally.
Around 5,000 companies took part in the exhibition, covering an area ten times larger than the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds and attracting over 150,000 buyers, including several hundred from Israel.
Organizers noted a strong interest from buyers in products featuring artificial intelligence technology.
American company Ninja, which achieved sales of four billion dollars this year, secured many contracts during the event.
Thousands of buyers expressed interest in their cooking appliances, grills, smart fryers, food processors, and various innovative products, some of which are already available in Israel.
Furthermore, large home ovens from a company that specializes in cutting-edge kitchen tools, including pizza ovens and new kitchen gadgets, caught the eye of many attendees.
Products made from recycled plastics also received particular attention.
Curver, a company based in Luxembourg and owned by Israel's Keter Group, displayed a range of practical plastic household items, including boxes, bowls, and stylishly designed trash bins.
Pinchas Dershowitz, CEO of Israeli company Paragon, which showcased advanced plastic products from Israel, told Ynet and 'Mamon' that he anticipates Trump's tariffs will benefit Israeli industrial exports, referring to it as 'good news for us.' A German exhibitor expressed both concern and optimism, stating, 'We already sense this will negatively impact Chinese industry and could aid Europe, assuming President Trump doesn't levy new tariffs on the European Union.
The U.S. decisions regarding tariffs are already creating substantial disruptions in negotiations between manufacturers and buyers at this winter's exhibition.'
This year marked the first appearance of Israeli company Sano, which, despite registering at the last minute and having a relatively small booth in bright red, attracted attention with its cleaning products, resulting in deal closures.
Sano is currently gaining popularity in several European nations, particularly Romania.
Israeli exhibitors reported that their products also garnered interest from buyers in Arab countries without formal relations with Israel, such as Saudi Arabia.
'However, most are primarily interested, and only a few finalize deals with Israeli companies, purchasing products exclusively through buyers from a third country,' they stated.
All Israeli exhibitors highlighted the warm welcome from the 'Ambiente' exhibition organizers and reported no incidents or negative sentiments against Israel amid current events in Gaza.
'On the contrary, many expressed worry regarding the situation of the hostages recently returned to Israel and mentioned they are praying for the safe return of all hostages in the days to come.'
On a more somber note, a previously leading sector at this large exhibition—office supplies—seems to be waning.
Israeli exhibitors and buyers explained, 'In an age where everything is mobile and online, selling notebooks, markers, diaries, and pens has become very challenging—except for luxury items, which still remain in vogue—and only wall calendars continue to have success.' A Japanese exhibitor acknowledged, 'This will be our last exhibition.
There's no longer a demand for pencils, erasers, and note holders.'
Exhibitors and buyers from China seemed particularly apprehensive, while Israeli exhibitors pointed out the benefits of Israel's trade agreements with the U.S. and Europe, looking forward to potential advantages for Israeli industries and commerce as a result of Trump's tariffs.
The 'Ambiente' exhibition, combined with 'Creativeworld' and 'Christmasworld,' is celebrated for its prestige in design, crafts, and housewares in Europe, ranking among the largest globally.
Around 5,000 companies took part in the exhibition, covering an area ten times larger than the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds and attracting over 150,000 buyers, including several hundred from Israel.
Organizers noted a strong interest from buyers in products featuring artificial intelligence technology.
American company Ninja, which achieved sales of four billion dollars this year, secured many contracts during the event.
Thousands of buyers expressed interest in their cooking appliances, grills, smart fryers, food processors, and various innovative products, some of which are already available in Israel.
Furthermore, large home ovens from a company that specializes in cutting-edge kitchen tools, including pizza ovens and new kitchen gadgets, caught the eye of many attendees.
Products made from recycled plastics also received particular attention.
Curver, a company based in Luxembourg and owned by Israel's Keter Group, displayed a range of practical plastic household items, including boxes, bowls, and stylishly designed trash bins.
Pinchas Dershowitz, CEO of Israeli company Paragon, which showcased advanced plastic products from Israel, told Ynet and 'Mamon' that he anticipates Trump's tariffs will benefit Israeli industrial exports, referring to it as 'good news for us.' A German exhibitor expressed both concern and optimism, stating, 'We already sense this will negatively impact Chinese industry and could aid Europe, assuming President Trump doesn't levy new tariffs on the European Union.
The U.S. decisions regarding tariffs are already creating substantial disruptions in negotiations between manufacturers and buyers at this winter's exhibition.'
This year marked the first appearance of Israeli company Sano, which, despite registering at the last minute and having a relatively small booth in bright red, attracted attention with its cleaning products, resulting in deal closures.
Sano is currently gaining popularity in several European nations, particularly Romania.
Israeli exhibitors reported that their products also garnered interest from buyers in Arab countries without formal relations with Israel, such as Saudi Arabia.
'However, most are primarily interested, and only a few finalize deals with Israeli companies, purchasing products exclusively through buyers from a third country,' they stated.
All Israeli exhibitors highlighted the warm welcome from the 'Ambiente' exhibition organizers and reported no incidents or negative sentiments against Israel amid current events in Gaza.
'On the contrary, many expressed worry regarding the situation of the hostages recently returned to Israel and mentioned they are praying for the safe return of all hostages in the days to come.'
On a more somber note, a previously leading sector at this large exhibition—office supplies—seems to be waning.
Israeli exhibitors and buyers explained, 'In an age where everything is mobile and online, selling notebooks, markers, diaries, and pens has become very challenging—except for luxury items, which still remain in vogue—and only wall calendars continue to have success.' A Japanese exhibitor acknowledged, 'This will be our last exhibition.
There's no longer a demand for pencils, erasers, and note holders.'
