German government spokesperson says on Merz's China visit: business delegation to accompany Merz, no details given
TL;DR
German Chancellor Merz leads a major business delegation to China, including auto executives, to strengthen ties amid trade tensions and competition in the EV market, with few official details disclosed.
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German government spokesperson says on Merz's China visit: business delegation to accompany Merz, no details given
German Chancellor Merz’s China Visit to Feature Large Business Delegation, Despite Limited Official Details
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to lead a high-profile business delegation on his first official visit to China since taking office, according to multiple reports, though the government has provided few specifics about the trip's agenda or participants. The delegation, described as the largest since Angela Merkel's first term in the late 2000s, includes executives from key industries such as automotive and manufacturing. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz executives are among those accompanying Merz, underscoring the sector's reliance on China's vast market.
The visit comes amid intensifying competition between German and Chinese automakers, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Chinese EV brands have rapidly gained market share in Europe, challenging German legacy manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen, which have seen sales decline in both China and domestic markets. Zipse emphasized that "ignoring China's enormous market and innovation potential" risks missing opportunities for global growth, while Merz has framed the trip as an effort to establish "strategic partnerships" amid shifting global trade dynamics and Germany will seek strategic partnerships with China amid U.S. tariff policies.
The timing of the visit also reflects broader European concerns about U.S. tariff policies under President Donald Trump, which Merz has criticized as economically destabilizing. Germany, Europe's largest economy, seeks to balance maintaining access to Chinese markets with addressing concerns over industrial subsidies and overcapacity. However, German exports to China fell by 9.3% in 2025 to €81.8 billion, their lowest level in a decade, as Chinese competitors gained ground in machinery, chemicals, and EVs.
While the government has not disclosed specific objectives, the trip follows a postponed visit by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, whose office cited difficulties in securing meaningful engagements. Analysts suggest Merz's delegation aims to stabilize bilateral ties while advocating for fair trade practices, though structural economic challenges—such as China's dominance in rare-earth minerals—remain unresolved.
The outcome of the visit will be closely watched as Germany navigates a complex landscape of economic interdependence and geopolitical realignment.