US EditionGermany wants deeper, fairer economic cooperation with China, Chancellor Merz tells Chinese premier Li
Merz aims to reduce Germany's trade deficit with China, which reached €90 billion in 2025, while promoting fair competition and strategic cooperation amid global economic tensions.
- On Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing with a large German business delegation including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes to seek stronger bilateral ties.
- Facing sluggish growth and market uncertainty, Germany sent Merz to Beijing after China overtook the United States last year as its top trade partner and a record 89 billion euros trade deficit with China.
- At the Great Hall of the People, Merz secured memorandums on climate change and food security after urging fair cooperation with Premier Li Qiang, then plans visits to the Forbidden City, Mercedes plant, Unitree robotics, and Siemens Energy.
- Merz plans to press Beijing to use its influence with Russia to help end the war in Ukraine, as Xi signaled willingness to elevate bilateral ties.
- Merz joins recent Western outreach to Beijing as leaders seek stability while industry groups warn China’s state-driven overcapacity and export controls risk new trade conflicts with the EU, said Wolfgang Niedermark of the Federation of German Industries.
119 Articles
119 Articles
Germany’s chancellor walks a tightrope in Beijing
Germany’s chancellor called on China to correct the countries’ growing trade imbalance, as he walks a tightrope of strengthening diplomatic ties with Beijing while trying to manage its economic heft. Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing on Wednesday with “an outstretched hand and a list of complaints,” The New York Times wrote: Berlin is concerned about what it sees as an undervalued yuan, unfair subsidies, and overcapacity from Chinese exporters. …
Germany’s Merz Pushes Deeper China Cooperation on 1st Beijing Trip
China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Feb. 25. Merz, who is making his first trip to China since taking office last May, has been in Beijing for a two-day visit, accompanied by a delegation of 30 companies, including top carmakers such as Volkswagen and BMW. “I attach great importance to maintaining and deepening these wherever possible,” German news magazin…
The German Chancellor called on China to reduce subsidies and change economic policies.
Chancellor Alem n, Friedrich Merz, advocated his visit to China for more 'fair' bilateral cooperation with his main trading partner.
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- 37% of the sources lean Left, 36% of the sources are Center
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