You're reading: Wall Street Journal: Schäuble warns Trump administration on free trade, Russia

BERLIN – One of Germany’s most influential politicians issued stern warnings about the dangers posed by protectionist economic policies and an assertive Russia seeking to undermine Western democracies, underscoring the risk of a rift between incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and an important ally.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said in an interview with the Journal that he intended to work “as constructively as possible” with Mr. Trump’s administration. But he said it would be a mistake to pursue nationalist economic policies and wrong to minimize the threat from Russian meddling.

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