Germany’s New China Strategy: Ambitious Language, Ambiguous Course
Germany is still struggling to find the right balance between business and politics — and between national and European interests — in its approach to China.
Li Qiang, Premier of China, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the end of their press statement at the German Chancellery, Berlin. June 20, 2023. Credit: Kay Nietfeld/picture-alliance/dpa via AP Images
Germany’s policy towards China has always been strongly driven by business interests. That has resulted in some impressive figures. More than 5,000 German companies operate in China, employing more than one million staff, while for German carmakers like BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz, the country is the most important market, with roughly every third of the cars they produce being sold there. Other industries, including electrical engineering and chemicals have major interests in the world
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