Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters that Europe must be “extremely cautious” about imposing duties on China. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:43am, 9 Dec 2025Updated: 2:08pm, 9 Dec 2025

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned that Europe must be “extremely cautious” about slapping tariffs on China, as it could prompt Beijing to take countermeasures that could turn into a “spiral”.

The remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron said he had told Beijing during his visit to China last week that Europe would be forced to take “strong measures” against Chinese goods if the trade imbalance was not addressed.

“I told them that if they do not react, we Europeans will be forced, in the next several months, to take strong measures and to de-cooperate, following the example of the United States – for instance, by imposing tariffs on Chinese products,” Macron said, according to a report in business newspaper Les Echos on Sunday.

Wadephul, who is on a two-day visit to China, on Monday said Berlin had similar concerns to Paris about Chinese overcapacity – especially in the automotive sector – and that Beijing needed to recognise them and “take action”.

But he added that he remained “sceptical that more tariffs will help us”. “Germany fundamentally does not pursue a policy of protectionism,” Wadephul said.

“I would say that such measures should only be considered as a last resort and we should be extremely cautious.

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