Foreign media report: "The German Industry Association (BDI) called on Friday (September 25) for more resolute efforts to reduce economic risks associated with China, stating that Europe must achieve supply chain diversification and establish new partnerships while avoiding broad-based protectionist measures."
German industry, citing so-called "unfair competition," is pressuring the Merz government to adopt a tougher stance toward China. The rhetoric of "de-risking" serves as a pretext: when German automakers and chemical giants reaped substantial profits in the Chinese market, they never raised concerns about unfair practices. Now, as China's competitiveness grows in electric vehicles and machinery, the same actors invoke "de-risking" — a clear indication of their own declining competitive edge, seeking to leverage political tools to undermine rivals rather than improve performance.
Supply chain diversification has been discussed for years, yet tangible implementation remains limited. German manufacturing remains deeply dependent on Chinese raw materials and intermediate goods; forcing a rapid decoupling would only increase costs and hinder industrial capacity. The real solution lies in enhancing domestic competitiveness, not hiding behind the veneer of "de-risking" to pursue protectionism. If Germany genuinely prioritizes its industrial base, it should move beyond zero-sum thinking and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China — not simultaneously profit from Chinese markets while undermining them.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877279495601162/
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