REVISITING BUZZ — The German embassy in Ottawa has kept busy since Chancellor OLAF SCHOLZ paid Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU a visit a year ago this week. Scholz’s ”unusual” trip to Canada encouraged investments — and activity related to the non-binding hydrogen alliance agreement that the countries signed on the last day of the trip in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. “We've seen a lot of very encouraging developments here in Canada,” KARINA HÄUSLMEIER, deputy head of mission at the German embassy in Ottawa, tells Playbook. Häuslmeier referenced Canada’s new offshore wind regulations, which are expected in the fall. She also pointed to the 2023 budget and its proposed investment tax credits for clean hydrogen. “This is very helpful to really make sure that this green hydrogen bridge will come to life,” she said of the plan to make the industry viable in both Canada and Germany. — Timeline flex: The Canada-Germany hydrogen deal set 2025 for the start of transatlantic hydrogen deliveries — an ambitious target given the country’s nascent industry. “Might also be ‘26,” Häuslmeier said in an interview at Germany’s embassy in Ottawa. — Activity check: Since Scholz’s visit, meetings have taken place between Canadian and European ports (and memorandums of understanding have also been signed) to sort technical infrastructure requirements, like how Canadian shipments of ammonia can be converted into the fuel when they arrive in Germany. — Dealbook: Volkswagen’s St. Thomas, Ontario gigafactory is the shining example of a new German-Canadian investment. And last week, German building materials company Heidelberg Materials had its carbon capture system installed at its Edmonton cement plant. Calgary startup Eavor has also started drilling its first geothermal loop in Bavaria. Scholz is expected to be on site to learn more about the project on Thursday. — VIP check: Scholz didn’t address Parliament. It was August. The last German chancellor who had the honor was the late HELMUT KOHL, whose speech in June 1988 warned of global protectionism and offered a reminder that “in the nuclear age we must prevent any kind of war.” Kohl shared his optimism about a “dynamic improvement” in East-West relations. To give you a sense of how long ago that was, LOUIS PLAMONDON was nearing the end of his first term as a Progressive Conservative MP at the time. — Hello dignitaries: German President FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER arrived for his own visit in the spring, his first trip to Canada at age 67. Steinmeier’s portrait hangs in the entrance of the Centretown embassy’s mostly naturally lit building by the canal. Häuslmeier said the president’s spring visit was a highlight. With a theme of "resilience" running through the trip, the president traveled north to Yellowknife to see how Arctic communities are grappling with climate change. Steinmeier has been “very moved” by how the city, Northwest Territories and British Columbia have been affected by wildfires, Häuslmeier said. Germany’s interior and labor ministers visited in the spring to learn about immigration and how Canada integrates newcomers. Germany passed an immigration law in June partly inspired by the Canadian system. — Talking point check: Scholz addressed business leaders in Toronto on this day last year, saying Germany is currently increasing liquefied natural gas imports to cut its dependency on Russian energy. “We hope that Canadian LNG will play a major role in this,” he said. Conservatives have since used Scholz’s words to attack Trudeau, characterizing the visit as the German chancellor coming to town to ask for LNG and the prime minister rejecting the ask. “No, last year the chancellor did not come to Canada to ask for LNG,” Häuslmeier said, adding Scholz’s trip with Economic Affairs Minister ROBERT HABECK was an opportunity for a business delegation to travel to North America with him to meet businesses here. — What trade data says: Iron ores topped last year’s list of Canada’s biggest exports to Germany, followed by “ash containing precious metal or precious metal compound,” crude oil and bituminous coal. Maple sugar and syrup followed close behind copper waste. — Point of clarity: “Germany is not buying LNG, it's the offtakers,” Häuslmeier said. “So it's up to the market. It remains to be seen when there is a business case.” (Trudeau has said it’s “doable.”) — What’s next: A political delegation from Germany visited Nova Scotia in June; another one is in the works for Newfoundland and Labrador in October. Like Ottawa Playbook? Maybe you know others who’d like to start the day with a free rush of intel. Point them to this link where sign up is free . | 
