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Merz sees "huge potential" between Germany and China

2026-02-25 22:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

It's about balancing: The German chancellor wants to reduce dependence on China while expanding relations with the world's second-largest economy. Is this possible?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to expand economic and diplomatic relations with China:

"I attach great importance to preserving and deepening these relations - whenever possible," Merz said at the start of his visit to China during a meeting with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.

Merz also stressed the need for close cooperation with China at the European level.

"We share a responsibility in the world and we must fulfill this responsibility together," he said.

He added that there is "huge potential for further growth" in both economies.

Merz says that open channels of communication between Germany and China are needed to achieve this. The Chancellor announced that the respective ministers will visit in the coming months. There will be intensive exchanges throughout the year.

Li encourages free trade

In the context of the tariff dispute with the US, Premier Li called on Germany to cooperate with China to ensure global free trade. He spoke of the "steady" development of relations with Germany and referred to "changes in the international situation".

In light of unilateralism and protectionism "in some countries and regions," Li called for strengthening trust in cooperation and "jointly supporting multilateralism and free trade." China is willing to strengthen dialogue with Germany, he said.

Five agreements were signed

After the meeting, five intergovernmental agreements were signed in the presence of Li and Merz. Among other things, the two sides reached an agreement to continue cooperation in the fight against climate change and in the fight against animal diseases. Agreements were also signed between the football and table tennis associations.

Merz arrived in the capital Beijing early this morning German time for his first visit to China since taking office as Chancellor. Li welcomed him with military honors at the Great Hall of the People.

From the German government's perspective, the central themes of the visit are the dependence of German companies on raw materials and rare earth elements from China, as well as the issue of fair competition in the Chinese market. "Competition stimulates business," the Chancellor said shortly before leaving Berlin. "Competition is healthy - as long as it is fair," he added.

Meeting with President Xi

Merz is accompanied by a 30-member business delegation. The Chancellor stressed that Germany always sees itself as part of the European Union and that in some cases it can only make decisions within this framework. "For example, we can and want to present all issues of monetary and trade policy only together," the Chancellor said.

Later, the Chancellor will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping for talks and dinner. Human rights abuses in China are also expected to be a topic during that conversation. However, the focus will be on economic and security policy issues.

One of the topics likely to be discussed is Russia's war against Ukraine. China is known as Russian President Vladimir Putin's most important ally. The German Chancellor wants to convince the Chinese leadership to put pressure on the aggressor, Russia. But is this possible?/ DW