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Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China's Xi, Germany's Merz stress ties to weather trade turmoil
BEIJING/BERLIN, May 23 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a call on Friday highlighted the importance of their countries' relationship as both China and Europe are trying to tackle uncertainty caused by U.S. tariff policies. Europe and China are among the biggest trading partners of the U.S. and have deep trading ties with each other. Chinese-German trade volume alone accounted for around 246 billion euros ($279 billion) last year, according to official figures. Germany has in recent years sought a difficult balance in relations with China, seen by Berlin as both a strategic rival and a vital trading partner whose giant market has buoyed Germany's large export-driven economy. In the call, Xi noted changes in the world unseen in a century, with "intertwined turmoil and transformation," official broadcaster CCTV reported. "China is willing to work with Germany to open a new chapter in their all-round strategic partnership, to lead China-EU relations toward new development, and to contribute to the stable growth of the global economy," Xi was quoted as saying. Merz's spokesperson said both leaders emphasized their willingness to cooperate to overcome global challenges. "Chancellor Merz emphasized the importance of fair competition and reciprocity," he added. Neither Berlin nor the CCTV report explicitly mentioned U.S. tariffs. Beijing earlier this month urged Germany not to undermine cooperation in the name of de-risking, a strategy by Europe to reduce its dependence on China trade. The European Union, of which Germany is the biggest economic power, and China are also at odds over Chinese electric vehicles. ($1 = 0.8814 euros)
South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
If China wants the EU as a partner, it must offer concrete cooperation
Hesitation is no longer an option. China and the European Union must redefine their partnership now or accept lasting estrangement. Donald Trump's return as US president has thrown the global order into flux, pulling Europe closer to China – but that opening will not last indefinitely. Advertisement For years, China spoke of win-win cooperation while sidestepping the issues straining relations. Brussels' concerns grew as Beijing dismissed them: non-reciprocal market access, weighty trade imbalances, a rising dependence on critical assets and conflicting industrial policies. When Europe pressed for solutions, China offered broad assurances but preserved the practices widening the divide. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), signed in late 2020 after seven years of negotiation, expanded Europe's access to China's market while offering Beijing limited practical gains beyond recognition of its investment ambitions. It addressed most of the issues the EU sees as core problems but ratification froze soon after with the arrival of US president Joe Biden. The stalemate was no accident. Europe's reliance on Chinese markets and fractured China policy prevented a unified response. When it finally acted, its scattered 'de-risking' efforts, tariffs on electric vehicles , record trade investigations against China last year and shifting rhetoric – from overcapacity claims to security threats – missed the fundamental issues and fuelled escalation. Meanwhile, Beijing, focused on sustaining domestic growth, saw little reason to revise policies that still delivered results, keeping compromise off the table. As the EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo recently said, China had been ignoring EU concerns over trade issues for the past two decades. Advertisement The forces shaping this relationship have now changed. The global setting is entering a new phase, where the space for ambiguity has all but closed. Three developments make this clear.
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
In Europe, Xi Jinping's Russia trip casts a shadow over China's charm offensive
At China's fortress-like embassy in the leafy suburbs of Brussels on Tuesday, wine and beer flowed as around 800 guests – including senior EU officials and diplomats from the United States – were offered hardback copies of Xi Jinping Thought, in several European languages, and ate from a lavish Chinese buffet. Advertisement Earlier that day, an estimated 1,500 people gathered at the EU's embassy in Beijing, while a smaller event took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday – all commemorating the 50th anniversary of China establishing diplomatic relations with the European Union Leaders exchanged warm congratulatory letters stripped of the barbs about Russia and trade that have come to define the pair's spiky engagements in recent years, while glowing speeches touted 'deeper cooperation', and only briefly touched on underlying difficulties. 01:57 Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Chinese firms of supplying artillery and missiles to Russia Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Chinese firms of supplying artillery and missiles to Russia The events form the cornerstone of a Chinese charm offensive that has gathered pace in recent weeks, as Beijing looks to capitalise on a dramatic shift in posture in the US under returning President Donald Trump , who has turned hostile towards Europe and shredded the transatlantic alliance. On the face of it, the pageantry, the toasts and the bonhomie this week suggest that Beijing's efforts are paying off. Europe appears, at times, to be receptive to its advances. But 2,500km (1,550 miles) away, an even bigger anniversary event is a reminder of the single biggest stumbling block to a meaningful rapprochement: China's cosy ties with Russia Advertisement
