Another European leader in China

Merz met in Beijing with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The discussions focused primarily on trade issues. The goal of the meeting was to improve trade cooperation, which Germany views with concern and seeks to make fairer and more balanced. China, on the other hand, called for the protection of “multilateralism and free trade.”

The German delegation included the heads of 30 leading German companies, among them Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes. The possibility of completely severing economic ties with China is considered a mistake. At the same time, Berlin does not want to risk becoming dependent on the Chinese market and its manufacturers.

China was encouraged to continue investing in the German market. Calls were made to reduce market-distorting subsidies and to address the problem of overcapacity visible in certain sectors. Germany’s economy is heavily export-dependent. At present, it is losing ground in China’s domestic market. In 2025, Germany’s trade deficit with China reached approximately €89 billion. The Chinese side has sought to reassure Germany. State media claim that German slogans about “de-risking” (referring to reducing dependence on China) complicate Sino-German relations, but that “the enthusiasm of German business speaks louder than political slogans.”

On the evening of February 25, Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The media expect the talks to address China’s potential contribution to ending the Russo-Ukrainian war. The German chancellor’s visit should be seen as part of a broader trend—the great reset with China. In light of Donald Trump’s unpredictable policies, European countries are seeking stable partners. As a result, many have decided to rebuild or deepen their relations with China. Before Friedrich Merz, the leaders of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and South Korea had also visited China.