A senior lawmaker from Germany's Social Democrats, a junior partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government, called for a reassessment of Germany's China policy on Saturday after Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed a trip to Beijing.
Wadephul, a member of Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), canceled his visit on Friday after Beijing confirmed only one of his requested meetings, signaling growing tensions over trade and security issues.
"The sudden cancellation of the trip to China does not bode well for improving the strained German-Chinese relations," said Adis Ahmetovic, foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats (SDP). "We need to rethink Germany's China strategy. Now, more than ever, we need a proactive, strategic foreign policy that prioritizes dialogue, clarity, and long-term interests."
Germany is Europe's largest economy, and China is both its biggest trading partner and the largest economy in Asia.
Earlier this week, Wadephul told Reuters he planned to urge China to ease export restrictions on rare earths and semiconductors during his trip, which was set to begin on Sunday. He also emphasized the importance of fair trade as a foundation for strong relations.
In a strategy on China adopted in 2023, Berlin called for "de-risking" the economic relationship, describing Beijing as a "partner, competitor, and systemic rival."
China supplies Germany with crucial components like rare earths and chips, which have faced significant bottlenecks amid escalating global trade tensions.
"Direct dialogue with China is particularly crucial in this phase of global tension," Ahmetovic remarked, stressing the need to deepen discussions "especially on issues of peace, security, the economy, trade, and human rights."
Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesperson for the CDU, noted that China was using trade policy to exert pressure, and supported Wadephul's decision to postpone the trip.
"The German government is not participating in this game," he said, adding that Germany still values good and fair relations with Beijing.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly urging Poland to award a multi-billion-euro submarine contract to the Swedish defence company Saab, ...
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Friday to help reduce border tensions following a recent clash between ...
The State of Palestine welcomed a joint statement issued on 14 November by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan...
A ministerial meeting was held in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, for the implementation of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development...
The UN Human Rights Council has ordered an urgent inquiry into alleged atrocities in and around El-Fasher, condemning escalating violence, ethnically ...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly urging Poland to award a multi-billion-euro submarine contract to the Swedish defence company Saab, a deal that may involve UK defence firm Babcock, according to sources. Babcock declined to comment on its potential role in the bid.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Friday to help reduce border tensions following a recent clash between the two countries.
The State of Palestine welcomed a joint statement issued on 14 November by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye backing the draft UN Security Council resolution and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.
A ministerial meeting was held in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, for the implementation of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of Green Energy between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania.
MrBeast, the world’s most popular YouTuber, has officially launched his first theme park, Beast Land, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged the U.S. to avoid actions that could intensify the war in Ukraine, citing President Donald Trump’s past support for dialogue.
A Türkiye-registered Air Tractor AT-802F crashed in western Croatia on Thursday, killing the pilot, local authorities and media reported.
Audi has unveiled the car that marks its first major step into Formula One. It presented the 2026 challenger at a launch event in Munich attended by drivers, team leaders and senior company executives.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday that the Palestinian group Hamas is ready to take constructive steps to make the current ceasefire in Gaza permanent, and that Israel should show the same commitment.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly urging Poland to award a multi-billion-euro submarine contract to the Swedish defence company Saab, a deal that may involve UK defence firm Babcock, according to sources. Babcock declined to comment on its potential role in the bid.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Friday to help reduce border tensions following a recent clash between the two countries.
The State of Palestine welcomed a joint statement issued on 14 November by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye backing the draft UN Security Council resolution and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.
The UN Human Rights Council has ordered an urgent inquiry into alleged atrocities in and around El-Fasher, condemning escalating violence, ethnically targeted killings, and widespread abuse attributed to the Rapid Support Forces.
China has completed the first phase of its 6G technology trials, a key step in its bid to lead the global push toward next-generation telecommunications networks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment