""In the era of great powers, our freedom is no longer a given. It is under threat," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the opening of the Munich Security Conference earlier in February. Merz explicitly mentioned China. "China has the ambition to shape global affairs, laying the foundations for this over many years with strategic patience. In the foreseeable future, Beijing could draw level with the US in terms of military might. China is systematically exploiting the dependencies of others, reinterpreting the international order on its own terms," he said."
"The chancellor no longer sees the United States as a reliable partner. In Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered the very things that the German government feels are lacking in Donald Trump's America: multilateralism, a rules-based world order and free trade. In this, Merz seems to see an opportunity. Merz is now to visit China, departing Germany on February 24, on the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang Before leaving on what is his first trip to China since becoming chancellor in May 2025, Merz said he would be discussing "strategic partnerships" in China."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned freedom is under threat in the era of great powers and named China. China aims to shape global affairs and could draw level with the US militarily. China systematically exploits dependencies and reinterprets the international order. Merz said he no longer sees the United States as a reliable partner. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi offered multilateralism, a rules-based world order and free trade. Merz will visit China on February 24 to discuss "strategic partnerships", accompanied by a large business delegation. China became Germany's top trading partner in 2025 with trade over 250 billion euros and a record German trade deficit around 90 billion.
Read at www.dw.com
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