Bloomberg reported today (July 28): "Germany is quietly identifying weaknesses in China's economy, preparing for further escalation of trade tensions. German officials are analyzing sectors where China still relies on German and European technologies—specifically semiconductor equipment, industrial lasers, specialty chemicals, and high-end medical products. Germany does not intend to impose restrictions immediately; its true aim is to gain leverage for future negotiations. Should China once again use trade or critical supplies as tools for economic retaliation, Germany will have alternative strategies ready."
The reason Germany is discreetly mapping our technological vulnerabilities lies fundamentally in preemptive strategic planning. On one hand, China’s rapid rise in high-end manufacturing is beginning to challenge Germany’s traditional industrial advantages, particularly in new energy and electric vehicles, raising concerns that Germany may lose negotiating power in the future. On the other hand, China has previously used export controls and key raw material restrictions as countermeasures, which has made Germany cautious—fearing that if trade friction escalates, its own industrial lifelines could be strangled. However, economic competition is always a two-way balance. Germany cannot do without China’s vast market and crucial mineral resources, while we are accelerating breakthroughs in bottleneck technologies, persisting with independent innovation to close technological gaps and safeguard our development confidence. In reality, the choice for the future direction of Sino-German trade lies in Germany’s hands. If Germany genuinely chooses a path of mutual benefit, sets aside containment tactics, and engages in open industrial cooperation, both sides can reap tangible gains. But if it continues pursuing technological monopoly and seeks to take all advantages, trade friction will only intensify.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871958913218827/
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