German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Visit to China: Economic Balances and Strategic Partnerships

High-Level Contacts and Critical Agenda German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing for his first official visit to China since taking office in May 2025.
Expected to arrive in Beijing on February 24, Merz's itinerary includes meetings with his counterpart Li Qiang and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Sebastian Hille stated that the discussions will cover critical topics such as security, trade, human rights, and the Russia-Ukraine War.
Record Trade Volume and Deficit At the center of the visit are economic relations with China, Germany's largest trading partner.
According to 2025 data, the trade volume between the two countries reached 251.8 billion euros, with a notable imbalance in favor of China.
Germany's exports to China remained at 81.8 billion euros, while imports rose to 171.2 billion euros, resulting in a record trade deficit of 89.4 billion euros.
A large business delegation accompanying Merz will visit the headquarters of giants such as Mercedes-Benz and Siemens Energy in Beijing, as well as the robotics technology firm Unitree in Hangzhou.
Transatlantic Tensions and New Strategic Pursuits Merz's visit coincides with a period of uncertainty in the transatlantic alliance caused by U.S.
President Donald Trump's tariffs and unilateral policies.
Western leaders are observed to be recalibrating relations with Beijing to balance economic dependence on the United States.
Following similar moves by countries like Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, Germany's step is interpreted as an effort by Europe to establish a more independent and stable line within global alignments.