Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China has reignited debate over Germany’s long-term strategy toward Beijing. With German industry deeply intertwined with the Chinese market, and political leaders under pressure to reduce strategic dependencies, the trip highlights the tension between economic interests and security concerns.
On March 2, the ACG held a virtual discussion with ACG Board member Tara Hariharan and China expert Dr. Mareike Ohlberg on what the trip reveals about China’s place on the world stage and Germany’s strategic thinking.