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Seeking stronger ties, Germany’s Merz takes his ‘principled realism’ doctrine to Beijing
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Chinese Premier Li Qiang greeting Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume as he welcomed the business delegation that accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left, behind Mr Li) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb 25.
PHOTO: AFP
- German Chancellor Merz visits China to balance "de-risking" economic ties with an assertive US "America First" doctrine, seeking growth despite unfair competition.
- Germany faces a record €89.3 billion trade deficit with China as exports plummet, especially in the automotive sector, due to state subsidies.
- Amidst US protectionism, China pushes for an EU FTA to test unity. Germany pursues "Principled Realism," reducing dependencies while seeking strategic leverage through technology.
AI generated
BERLIN – As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz begins his high-stakes visit to China, he finds himself caught between the economic necessity of “de-risking without decoupling” and an increasingly assertive “America First” doctrine.
China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, Mr Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Feb 25.
