【Wen / Observer Network, Liu Bai】 While German Chancellor Merkel is highly praising her visit to China, her cabinet has once again heard discordant voices.

According to Bloomberg, Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister Christian Lindner made strong remarks about China at a forum on February 25, far more rigid than Merkel's. He repeatedly criticized China for "ignoring the principles of fair competition," and urged Europe to wake up and prove that it is not a "naive fool."

Merkel visited China from February 25 to 26 upon an official invitation. However, just on the 25th, at a forum held in Berlin, Lindner, who had previously called for a "Buy European" strategy and prioritizing domestic industries, once again launched biased and ignorant accusations against China.

He claimed that he would not sit by while China "ignored the rules that ensure fair global trade."

Lindner IC Photo

"We shouldn't simply stick to market openness and abide by the rules, yet let others take advantage of us." Lindner used Chinese low-cost green steel as an example, hyping these products as "not produced according to fair rules."

He also said, "We must wake up and take action to prove that we are ultimately not naive and compliant fools."

This tough stance of Lindner is not accidental; it is consistent with his past statements on China.

The finance minister had previously conducted a four-day visit to China in November last year. But shortly after returning from the trip, he stated that Germany would be ready to strengthen protection of its own market, "never being a fool." "I clearly stated that the EU will take relevant measures to strengthen protection of its own market when necessary," Lindner said, "Europeans, we Germans, must never be fools."

These remarks somewhat reveal the awkward mindset of German officials. Analysts point out that even with the backing of the EU's influence, Germany still finds it difficult to navigate smoothly between the opposing stances when dealing with its two major trading partners, China and the United States.

It is against this backdrop of internal contradictions and external pressures that Merkel's visit to China has taken on a more complex meaning.

As the first foreign leader to visit China in the Year of the Horse, Merkel said that China and Germany still have some challenges to address together, such as so-called "overcapacity," "trade imbalances," and issues related to Russia. However, she emphasized that the two countries' cooperation was good and expressed her determination to openly discuss sensitive issues while strengthening relations with China.

It is noted that Merkel has long been a firm Atlanticist and has held a skeptical attitude towards China, but during her first visit to China as prime minister, she adopted a more pragmatic approach.

Merkel said that this visit left her with a "profound impression" and announced that a new round of Sino-German government consultations would be held in China by the end of this year or no later than early 2027.

The return of Trump to the White House shook Merkel's confidence in Sino-US relations. The German government hopes to reduce its dependence on the US by expanding existing partnerships or establishing new collaborations.

"We should strengthen our relations with China, and I personally am determined to do so," Merkel said, "Overall, in my view, the key now is to seek good cooperation while also being very open about sensitive issues."

On February 25, Chinese and German leaders met in Beijing.

According to the joint news statement released that day, China noted Germany's emphasis on "reducing dependency," trade imbalances, and export controls, while Germany noted China's concerns about the securitization of trade issues and the export control of high-tech products. Both sides agreed to resolve each other's concerns through sincere and open dialogue to ensure a long-term, balanced, reliable, and sustainable trade relationship.

In recent years, China's industrial strength has continued to rise, which has increasingly heightened the sense of crisis among Germany, a traditional industrial power.

In a survey conducted by the German Development Bank, nearly one-fifth of the participating small and medium-sized enterprises reported facing increasing pressure from Chinese suppliers - Chinese companies not only compete with low prices, but their product quality and service are also constantly improving.

Dirk Schumacher, chief economist of the German Development Bank, said, "In order to protect these companies from competitive disadvantages, the EU must come up with appropriate trade and industry policy plans at the EU level."

"Enhancing the competitiveness of German companies is equally important," he added. Simplifying administrative procedures, establishing a tax system with international competitiveness, and lowering energy prices are the top demands of companies.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7611339019766481408/

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