Scholz Speaks On Tanks To Ukraine & US IRA Response At WEF

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been speaking at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. There has been significant focus on the pronouncements from the German head of gov't as observers seek hints of whether Germany could provide/allow the provision of battle tanks to Ukraine.

• Scholz does not make a commitment during or after his speech, stating that, "We want to avoid this becoming a war between Russia and NATO... we are strategically interlocked and want to discuss with our partners, not just [act] by ourselves."
• Separately, regarding the US' Inflation Reduction Act and the EU's response, Scholz states that "funding is there for the taking" for EU firms looking to invest in green technology. Does not speak of the trillion-euro "Net Zero Industrial Act" proposed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her address on 17 January.
• Germany seen as very hesitant towards any new debt issuance by the Commission outside of already existing NextGenEU pots.
• Does criticise the US IRA though, stating that, "protectionism stifles competition and innovation, and it harms climate change mitigation."