Germany news: Commerce chief hopes for more stable US trade

German business is pinning its hopes on greater stability in US trade relations after a midterm blow for Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Germany's automakers appear to be feeling less gloomy than in recent years. Bavarian politician Hubert Aiwanger was found dead in a hotel in Berlin on Wednesday, the German capital's public prosecutor's office said.

Aiwanger was Bavaria's deputy premier, economy minister and the chairman of the right-wing populist Free Voters party. He was 55 years old. The circumstances surrounding Aiwanger's death are still unclear.

Police and prosecutors in the German capital have launched an investigation. On Wednesday evening, investigators said the goal is to "determine the specific cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, as well as to rule out any possible foul play." The German Cabinet has decided to slash the number of workers it admits into the country every year as part of the Western Balkans Regulation.