Tanja Gönner, the Chief Executive of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), called for greater transparency and reliability in Chinese export controls and urged a reduction of German dependencies. “We have to reduce our dependencies” she said during the Berlin‑Playbook podcast on Tuesday.
Gönner described China as “a competitor, a systemic rival, and at the same time a partner”. If she had to pick one of the three labels, it would be competitor, because Germany does not shy away from competition. At the same time, China has, in recent years, built a position as a supplier of numerous raw materials that challenges us.
When speaking about the so‑called de‑risking, Gönner said that it is “an issue of the current time”. Export controls on rare earths and permanent magnets threaten European economic security, and China is well aware of how to play that. Therefore Germany must do its own “homework” and reduce dependencies, while still maintaining dialogue with China. “Much of it is a balancing act”.
She offered a nuanced assessment of German investment in China, framing it as a “local for local” question-considering which country serves which market. Even though German firms also invest in other Asian states, the Chinese market remains “extremely large and innovation‑rich”.
Gönner urged the chancellor to send a clear signal that Germany and Europe stand together to defend their strategic interests-with a de‑risking strategy and constructive economic cooperation. Concrete disputes such as competition distortions or export controls on critical raw materials should be addressed openly, “preferably behind closed doors”. Agreements must be implemented and licensing processes made transparent.
