🇩🇪 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made waves this week by declaring economic decoupling from China would be like "shooting ourselves in the foot," as he embarked on his first official visit to Beijing since taking office. The bold statement comes amid global debates about supply chain resilience and geopolitical tensions.
🚗 Trade Ties Take Center Stage
Merz arrived with a powerhouse delegation of 30+ German executives from automotive giants, biopharma leaders, and green tech innovators. Key stops include meetings with Chinese leaders and visits to Mercedes-Benz’s Beijing operations, plus a futuristic demo at robotics firm Unitree in Hangzhou.
💼 Economic Realpolitik
"We’d be ruining our own opportunities," Merz stressed in Berlin before departure, highlighting Germany’s €250B+ trade relationship with China. With 2026 marking new investments in renewable energy and AI collaboration, both nations are betting big on shared tech goals.
🏯 Beyond Boardrooms
The Chancellor’s itinerary blends diplomacy with culture – from discussing circular economy strategies to touring the Forbidden City. Analysts say this visit could set the tone for EU-China relations in the post-pandemic era.
