Berlin is expressing doubt about the European Union’s ability to withstand the rise of nationalist parties and the pressure from the Trump administration. This unprecedented skepticism in Germany has raised fears of lasting weakening, or even the gradual marginalization, of Europe as it exists today.
“The economy” doesn’t rise at all. It’s just the BIP, probably the worst possible single number to measure the functioning of an economy, especially in circumstances of growing inequality.
The comment was that the economy needs to improve, and according to Reuters, it has.
If you know if another method of showing the health of a countries finances and can show it hasn’t improved I would be happy to read about it.