In a recent statement, Minister Reiche emphasized the necessity of increasing work volume to maintain competitiveness against countries like China, where the average annual working hours significantly exceed those in Germany. She proposed that companies should be encouraged to retain older employees willing to continue working, suggesting the ‘Aktivrente’ as a preliminary measure. Additionally, Reiche advocated for an expedited implementation of the planned corporate tax reform, currently set for 2028, to address economic challenges. This call comes ahead of her upcoming visit to China, where she intends to assert Germany’s economic interests more vigorously.