Before leaving for China, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said he wants to offer the country a balanced partnership. “We want a partnership with China that is balanced, reliable, regulated and fair. That’s our offer” he told reporters on Tuesday. “It is also what we hope and expect from the Chinese side”.
When asked about trade conflicts, Merz stressed that the foundation must be jointly agreed rules. “In that sense, we will discuss the great opportunities that German‑Chinese cooperation can create. We also need to talk about how to address problems such as surplus capacity, export restrictions and market access barriers that distort competition” he said.
Merz also reaffirmed a “de‑risking” policy, noting that it applies to China but is a broader approach. “It would be a mistake to equate it with decoupling from China. Such a policy would only harm us” he explained. “China has become a major power; no one can ignore it”.
