German Chancellor's Visit to China
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first state visit to China on February 25-26, 2026. The meetings covered critical issues, including the trade imbalance between Germany and China, cooperation in economics and technology, and Russia's war against Ukraine. Merz's trip occurred against the backdrop of China's growing economic significance as the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP. This visit highlights the delicate balance Berlin seeks between economic partnership and geopolitical principles.
Germany imports twice as many goods from China as it exports there, making China Germany's largest trading partner. The think tank Bruegel noted that the trade deficit is partly linked to rising production costs in Europe due to the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During the visit, Merz also toured the Unitree Robotics factory in Hangzhou, where discussions focused on advanced technologies.
Key Issues Discussed
During the non-public part of the talks on February 25, the Chancellor raised the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic communication and mutual trust between China and Germany:
"The more turbulent and interconnected the world becomes, the more China and Germany need to strengthen strategic communication and enhance strategic mutual trust." - Xi Jinping
A significant aspect of the discussions was the issue of equal participation for all parties in the negotiation process, as stressed by Xi Jinping:
"It is important to ensure the equal participation of all parties in the negotiation process and lay a solid foundation for peace, take into account the legitimate concerns of all parties, strengthen the will for peace, and create conditions for building a robust architecture of common security." - Xi Jinping
Merz's visit to China takes place amid not only economic but also geopolitical challenges, particularly the war in Ukraine, which presents new demands for international cooperation and dialogue between nations. The trip underscores the complexity of EU-China relations, where deep economic ties coexist with starkly different views on global security.
This visit highlights the importance of the strategic relationship between Germany and China against a backdrop of rising global tensions. Discussions on economic cooperation and security in the context of the Ukraine war demonstrate the necessity for dialogue between states to address shared challenges. In the future, this could influence the formation of new international policy and economic strategies.