German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will embark on his inaugural visit to the Chinese mainland this week, leading a delegation of top industrial leaders to strengthen economic ties amid global uncertainty. The two-day trip, beginning February 25, follows China’s resurgence as Germany’s largest trading partner in 2025 and aims to expand cooperation in technology, manufacturing, and green energy sectors.
High-Stakes Economic Diplomacy
Merz’s delegation includes CEOs from Bayer, Volkswagen, Siemens, and other DAX-listed giants, reflecting Germany’s strategic focus on stabilizing supply chains and accessing China’s innovation ecosystem. The visit comes as German exports to the U.S. fell 9.3% last year, with automotive sector shipments plunging 17.5% amid rising transatlantic trade barriers.
Rebalancing Global Partnerships
At a recent CDU party congress, Merz emphasized that "foreign policy today is also foreign economic policy," signaling Germany’s pragmatic approach to navigating shifting alliances. Recent Destatis data shows bilateral trade with China reached €251.8 billion in 2025, up 2.1% from 2024, underscoring the relationship’s resilience.
Technology and Sustainability Focus
Analysts anticipate new agreements in electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy storage, and AI governance frameworks. The talks follow Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s 2025 initiatives to accelerate green tech development, creating potential synergies with Germany’s Industrie 4.0 priorities.
