Information on Mittelstand enterprises

practice-oriented
interdisciplinary
applied research

Geopolitical challenges

For many decades, the multilateral dismantling of trade barriers and broad trade policy stability contributed ...

SME Development Barometer

IfM Bonn uses the "Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises", to report semiannually on the current ...

29.01.2026 Less regulations bring more Benefits

There is broad consensus among family businesses in Germany that an ecological transition is necessary. But from the perspective of the Mittelstand, the key question at present is how companies can achieve a climate-friendly transformation while at the same time remaining competitive.

26.01.2026 Innovativeness through vocational and academic qualifications

Innovations play a key role for companies. In his policy brief "Vocational Qualifications in the Context of Innovation: Does Firm Size Matter?", Dr Jörg Thomä (ifh Göttingen) explains why vocational training not only helps to secure skilled workers, but also strengthens the innovative power of …

An overview of the self-employed

What makes entrepreneurs resilient

The succession process is changing

All news

IfM-Position Paper

The impact of the provisional US-EU trade agreement on Mittelstand enterprises

On 27 July 2025, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump settled on a preliminary trade agreement. Of particular relevance to Mittelstand enterprises is that US import tariffs on most goods will only rise to 15% instead of the 30% previously anounced.

In other areas, such as the pharmaceutical industry, the level of customs duties remains unclear, while tariffs of 50% will continue to be levied on steel and aluminium imports into the US.