Despite significant economic policy disagreements and the outcry following a recent Chinese laser incident targeting a German Air Force aircraft, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of the CDU has affirmed his support for the planned EU-China summit in July.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Wadephul expressed his expectation that the summit will proceed, stating, “I anticipate it will take place”. He emphasized ongoing efforts by Germany to contribute positively to the event, noting that finding common ground on contentious issues, such as electric vehicle subsidies and market access, remains in the mutual interest. Wadephul acknowledged the challenging economic climate within both European and Chinese markets.
The Foreign Minister issued a cautionary message to China regarding potential actions concerning Taiwan. He warned that any aggression towards the island would have profound repercussions, extending far beyond bilateral relations between China and Europe. Such an action, he stated, would severely impact economic ties between Europe and the broader Asian market, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the Chinese economy itself.
