Merz's China Visit Opens Trade Reset Despite Ukraine Rift

Merz began his first official visit to China since taking office, meeting with Xi and Li.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have expressed their desire to deepen economic ties between their countries during the German leader’s inaugural visit to Beijing, China’s state broadcaster reports”

Al Jazeera

The two economic powerhouses pledged to deepen ties amid global turbulence.

Al Jazeera

Merz acknowledged differences, notably on Ukraine, but emphasized commonalities.

Nearly 30 German companies accompanied Merz.

Merz urged Chinese firms to step up investment in Germany while calling on Beijing to reduce market distortions.

He raised longstanding German concerns about undervalued currency and subsidies.

Auswärtiges Amt

The visit was complicated by worries about trade and supplies of key minerals.

Merz visited a humanoid robot manufacturer in Hangzhou to underscore technology cooperation.

Ukraine inevitably loomed over the talks.

Merz asked Beijing to use its influence to end the war.

Xi emphasized that China supports a political solution.

Merz had told the Munich Security Conference that world order no longer exists.

Merz's visit unfolded in the shadow of US pressure.

KWKT noted both have been buffeted by Trump's policies.

China Daily

People’s Daily framed the relationship as a success story of mutual benefit.

The visit sought a pragmatic middle path between cooperation and competition.