The impact of record-high oil prices on the German economy is limited because the strong euro helps to offset oil prices that are billed in dollars and because oil-producing countries' purchasing power has increased through higher oil-related revenues, German Economics Minister Glos told Tuesday's Tagesspiegel newspaper.
The effect of high oil prices on the overall economy is better than on employees' wallets, Glos was quoted as saying.
He also said that speculation has helped push oil prices to around $125 a barrel and no one knows how long prices will stay at such levels.