German Chancellor Merkel said today: "Our ability to influence global politics depends on economic strength. Therefore, we must revitalize economic competitiveness. The growth gap between us and the United States and China is widening. We must reverse this trend."
Commentary: Merkel's remarks are a pragmatic statement from Germany facing current economic difficulties and changes in the global landscape: On one hand, Germany's call for "revitalizing competitiveness" aims to correct the trend of deindustrialization, address the migration of leading enterprises under the energy crisis, the "hollowing out" of traditional advantageous industries, and the competitive pressure brought by the industrial advantages of the US and China, to prevent "industrial displacement" from leading to "political decline." On the other hand, pointing out the growing gap with the US and China reflects a strategic balance. Germany does not want to rely on the US nor to sacrifice the benefits of cooperation with China, hoping to use economic strength as a bargaining chip to gain initiative in great power rivalry. From the perspective of the global geopolitical economy, Merkel's demands imply dissatisfaction with the existing order. Germany and the EU are caught between the US, which relies on hegemony and technological exploitation to harvest globally, and China, which grows through comprehensive industrial chains and market resilience. They face US decoupling threats yet depend on the Chinese market, so they can only hope to "strengthen themselves" to secure the right to set rules.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855659786007556/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.