Peter Felser, the chairman of the German-Chinese Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag (AfD), has expressed concerns that the outcomes of the US-China summit will place significant strain on transatlantic relationships. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, the AfD politician stated that “the meeting will further weaken transatlantic unity”. He argued that both economically and geopolitically, the United States, particularly under a Trump administration, is likely to negotiate without regard for European interests, pointing to “the great danger that Trump will strike deals against European interests”. Consequently, he stressed that Germany and Europe must urgently identify and implement their own independent strategic interests.
Furthermore, Felser noted that the summit clearly signaled a shift towards multipolar interests. Instead of the “West” negotiating with China, the USA appears to be dealing solely with China. He observed that new global divisions based on interests and spheres of influence are already evident. To counter this, he emphasized the critical importance for both Germany and Europe to advocate for their own economic interests when dealing with Beijing. This advice was specifically aimed at German Economy Minister Katharina Reiche (CDU), urging her to keep this consideration in mind during her upcoming trip to China. Despite the geopolitical rivalry, Felser remained optimistic regarding the bilateral relationship, assessing that China remains “very open and greatly interested in maintaining a good relationship with Europe”.
