German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming visit to China comes at a pivotal moment. China’s export prowess is driving a national debate about lagging competitiveness, and that debate is taking place alongside the European Union’s efforts to devise a unified China strategy at a time when the United States appears increasingly unreliable.
BERLIN – Ahead of his highly anticipated trip to Beijing – his first as German chancellor – Friedrich Merz offered a frank assessment of China’s international role. According to Merz, China systematically fosters dependencies, seeks to reshape the international order, and could reach military parity with the United States. Moreover, as German policymakers have increasingly pointed out, Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be able to sustain his war in Ukraine – which has lasted for four years and broken Europe’s post-Cold War security order – without China’s support.
BERLIN – Ahead of his highly anticipated trip to Beijing – his first as German chancellor – Friedrich Merz offered a frank assessment of China’s international role. According to Merz, China systematically fosters dependencies, seeks to reshape the international order, and could reach military parity with the United States. Moreover, as German policymakers have increasingly pointed out, Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be able to sustain his war in Ukraine – which has lasted for four years and broken Europe’s post-Cold War security order – without China’s support.