On Wednesday, the German Chancellor will make his first visit to China, the latest this year by a Western leader after the prime ministers of Britain and Canada. Friedrich Merz's visit, which local media described as important to confront the repercussions of Trump's tariffs, came as Beijing presented itself as a reliable economic partner, and while European countries struggled to balance their alliance with Washington and address weaknesses in supply chains.

Published on: 02/25/2026 - 07:15

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing on Wednesday in his first visit to China with the aim of opening a new page in joint relations.

Merz is accompanied by a delegation of 30 companies, including major car manufacturers such as Volkswagen, as well as BMW, which is suffering greatly from the pressures of Chinese competition, which contributes to the exacerbation of the trade imbalance that has raised concern in Berlin and prompted demands for trade protection policies.

In editorials preceding the visit, local media emphasized the possibility of cooperation between the European Union and China becoming a stabilizing force in light of the repercussions of US tariff policies on global trade.

The visit came as China presents itself as a reliable economic partner, and at a time when European countries are struggling to balance their alliance with the United States on the one hand, and on the other hand address weaknesses in supply chains.

Meretz is the latest Western leader seeking to improve relations with Beijing, which the prime ministers of Britain and Canada previously visited earlier this year, while China touts the advantages of dealing with its huge consumer market and advanced manufacturing base.

This cooperation between Europe's largest economy and China could shape the latter's relations with the bloc this year.

In response, Noah Parkin, China affairs analyst at Rhodium Group, said in a research note that Merz faces a difficult task, which is redefining an economic relationship that has become increasingly harmful to German interests, as the German economy, based on manufacturing, is severely affected by competition from Chinese companies.

France 24/Reuters

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