German media: As a country of vital importance to the global market, China cannot be isolated

The Süddeutsche Zeitung pointed out that under the dual pressure of Trump's tariff stick and diplomatic approach, some Western countries have begun to embark on a "reconciliation journey" to Beijing.

The analytical article from the Süddeutsche Zeitung states that under the "assistance" of Trump's trade and security policies, some Western countries have started to restart dialogue with Beijing in a pragmatic manner. Following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also embarked on a "reconciliation journey" in Beijing:

"Canada is not an exception. Other Western countries are also cautiously adjusting their China policy. On Wednesday night, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Beijing, starting a visit by a head of government since 2018. The 60-member delegation included business representatives from Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC, and AstraZeneca. The UK does not seek to sign large trade agreements with China but focuses on small steps forward, such as reducing whiskey tariffs and improving market access for British services."

Starmer said before the visit: "For many years, our attitude towards China has been vacillating, sometimes cold, sometimes warm. But whether you are willing to admit it or not, China is an important country for the UK." He stated that everything he did in Beijing was to help the British people. The UK economy is currently facing numerous difficulties, and China is the UK's third-largest trading partner, directly affecting hundreds of thousands of British jobs.

For China, the reconciliation efforts of pragmatic politicians in Britain and Canada come at an opportune time. For years, Beijing has been striving to shape an image of a reliable and stable trading partner, while Washington has been continuously pressuring its traditional allies. Countries like Canada and the UK, which are members of the G7, actively seeking dialogue with Beijing, not only has economic appeal for China but also higher political value: it sends a signal that as a country vital to the global market, China cannot be isolated.

Najibullah from the Canadian think tank Asia Pacific Foundation said: "60% of Canada's canola exports go to China, and more than 90% of shrimp are sold to China. Given this, what is important for Canada is not to reconcile with Beijing, but to maintain communication channels."

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855786734412939/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.