Germany’s Chancellor Still Sends Mixed Signals on China
On the 27th, German Chancellor Merz delivered a speech at a think tank event in Singapore, reaffirming a notably inconsistent stance on China:
He stopped short of advocating economic decoupling from China, yet again referred without naming China to concerns over “overcapacity” and “market distortion.” While affirming adherence to the one-China principle, he also implied opposition to any escalation or use of force to alter the status quo. He called for China to leverage its influence over Russia, while simultaneously rejecting efforts by China, the U.S., and Russia to resolve the Ukraine conflict outside Ukraine.
Merkz’s recent Asia trip will include visits to Singapore, Japan, and South Korea—framed as an effort to identify more reliable economic partners, expand trade markets, and strengthen security cooperation with regional states. At the same time, German President Steinmeier has made a visit to China, his first since eight years ago.
In part, this dual-track diplomatic approach by Merz and Steinmeier reflects both an intent to stabilize relations with Beijing and a strategic signal that Germany has alternative options beyond China.
Yet for Germany today, achieving both aims simultaneously poses a significant challenge: maintaining robust economic ties with China while deepening partnerships with Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN to reduce reliance on Chinese markets and supply chains. The ability to balance these competing objectives will determine whether this dual-track diplomatic mission yields tangible results.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880291854285824/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.