German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the critical importance of economic ties with China during a press briefing in Berlin on February 25, 2026, stating that attempts to decouple would amount to "shooting ourselves in the foot." The remarks came ahead of his first official visit to the Chinese mainland since assuming office.
Economic Interdependence Highlighted
Merz will lead a delegation of 30 German corporate leaders spanning automotive, biopharmaceuticals, and green technology sectors during his three-day visit. The chancellor stressed that severing commercial links with China – Germany's largest trading partner since 2016 – would "ruin our own economic opportunities" given the interconnected supply chains and market access.
Strategic Engagement Agenda
The itinerary includes high-level meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing and visits to innovation hubs in Hangzhou. Key engagements include:
Addressing the China-German Economic Advisory Committee
This visit follows recent efforts to balance economic cooperation with geopolitical considerations, as European nations navigate complex trade relationships in key Asian markets.
