BERLIN/BEIJING, Feb. 21 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to China next week for his first official visit since taking office, in what observers describe as a delicate effort to rebalance one of Europe’s most important economic relationships, according to The News.
From Feb. 24 to 27, Merz is expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing before holding talks with President Xi Jinping. The meetings are set to focus on managing economic competition while preserving cooperation between the two global powers.
Announcing the trip at a party congress in Stuttgart, the chancellor said Germany must maintain economic ties across the world, including with China. In a message posted on social media, he expressed hope that the coming year would bring “strength and new impetus” to relations between Berlin and Beijing.
The visit reflects Germany’s effort to navigate a shifting global order, where traditional rules-based systems are giving way to rivalry among major powers. Merz has pledged to strengthen Europe’s economic and security capabilities while expanding trade partnerships beyond traditional allies.
During his stay, the chancellor will tour Beijing’s historic Forbidden City and visit a Mercedes-Benz facility, highlighting the deep links between German industry and Chinese manufacturing. He will then travel to Hangzhou to see robotics company Unitree and turbine maker Siemens Energy, underscoring cooperation in advanced technology and energy sectors.
Economic ties between the two nations remain vast. China regained its place last year as Germany’s largest single trading partner, with total trade reaching €251.8 billion, according to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office. Trade with the United States, which briefly overtook China in 2024, fell to €240.5 billion.
Against this backdrop, Merz’s journey is seen as a careful balancing act, maintaining competition where interests diverge, while preserving cooperation where economies remain deeply intertwined. The outcome of the talks may shape Europe’s approach to China at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
