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China-Germany relations
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Time for Germany to see reason and improve relations with China

With Trump and his frequently anti-European rhetoric, Berlin should see the writing on the wall and move away from its hardline stance

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greet each other before their talks in Beijing on December 8. Photo: dpa
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.

As two of the world’s economic powerhouses, Germany and China have much to offer each other. Alas, relations have significantly worsened since the end of the Angela Merkel era. As a key part of the European Union and the US-led Western alliance system, Berlin has taken a hardline stance towards Beijing in recent years.

It has been a difficult relationship for China to manage as Germany swings from political hostility to economic pragmatism. The latest visit by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul can hopefully put the two sides on a firmer and friendlier footing.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has diplomatically dragged China onto the wrong side of the EU. China’s dominance in electric vehicles has handicapped Germany’s fabled car industry, leading to accusations of overcapacity against Beijing. Lately, China’s export restrictions on rare earths in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff war have especially alarmed the Germans. Therefore, there was much for Wadephul to address with his Chinese counterparts, Vice-President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

His visit followed that of French President Emmanuel Macron. They show an urgent need for two of Europe’s largest economies to hedge relations with China as traditional European allies increasingly question the reliability and commitment of Trump’s America.
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