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Johann Wadephul

Johann Wadephul
The latest news and updates on Johann Wadephul, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, having assumed the position in May 2025. A Member of the Bundestag since 2009, he previously served as Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, with significant responsibilities in foreign and security policy. A lawyer and reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Wadephul is a defence policy expert known for advocating robust German military support for Ukraine and deeper NATO integration. His expertise encompasses transatlantic relations, China, Russia, the Balkans, and the Middle East. He was also elected Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in November 2024.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters that Europe must be “extremely cautious” about imposing duties on China. Photo: Reuters
China-Germany relations

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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China-EU relations

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

China-Germany relations

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

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China-Germany relations

Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

Critical minerals and Ukraine war expected to be top priorities as Germany’s foreign minister travels to China.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is a prominent advocate for a firmer line towards Beijing. Photo: Reuters
China-Germany relations

The great slowdown: Germany at a standstill as ‘China shock’ hits

As Europe’s biggest economy is pummelled by structural problems and external threats, rocky China ties are compounding the dreary picture.

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China-Japan relations

Beijing rebuffs Takaichi, Macron-Xi talks, key economic meeting

This week: China rejects Takaichi’s Taiwan climbdown, Macron visits Xi in Beijing, US deepens Taiwan ties, PBOC slams stablecoins. Next week: economic planning meeting, November trade and inflation data, Hong Kong Legco elections and more.

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European Union

Opinion | Stumbling Germany needs a clear strategy on China

Berlin must ditch the fantasy that it can profit without strategic risks, stop acting like a junior partner and decide what it stands for.

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Friedrich Merz attends a federal executive committee meeting for the first time as German chancellor, at the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus in Berlin, on May 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-EU relations

German foreign minister in ‘last stages of coordinating’ trip to China

Johann Wadephul also states he backs a speedier form of de-risking and diversifying away from Beijing’s stronghold on critical minerals.

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Ukraine war

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

China-Germany relations

Premier Li Qiang urges Germany to be ‘rational and pragmatic’ on China policy

Meeting between Li and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on G20 sidelines marks a step towards mending ties.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet on the margins of the G20 summit, in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: dpa
Germany

Outcry forces cancellation of Holocaust artefacts auction in Germany

The controversial sale, titled ‘The System of Terror’, was cancelled after high-level Polish intervention and outcry from Holocaust survivors.

The star of David at the Jewish memorial at the Dachau concentration camp memorial site, where more than 43,000 people were murdered and over 200,000 were imprisoned during the Nazi terror reign. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Gaza risks permanent partition between Israel and Hamas as Trump plan falters

Gaza reconstruction may be limited to Israeli-controlled areas, risking long-term division and placing Palestinian sovereignty in limbo.

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China-Germany relations

Germany must work with China to build trust after relations turned frosty: expert

Berlin’s foreign policy is bogged down by specifics and lacks vision, observer says.

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China-EU relations

Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Second-in-command Hsiao Bi-khim addresses unofficial conference of lawmakers, prompting ‘indignation’ from Beijing.

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The EU has a one-China policy through which it maintains business and cultural ties with Taiwan but does not recognise it as a sovereign state. Photo: Shutterstock
China-EU relations

7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’

A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.

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There are growing fears that the EU is being left behind, and that decisions about its future are being made elsewhere following the Trump-Xi “G2” meeting last month. Photo: Xinhua
China-Germany relations

‘Pain of division’: Germany urged to oppose Taiwan separatist acts

Wang Yi says China ‘unconditionally supported Germany’s reunification’ and it hopes Berlin will support Beijing to safeguard sovereignty.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel confirms 3 bodies received from Hamas are not hostages

The Gaza truce is in danger as Israel says three bodies returned are not hostages, and Hamas reports new strikes on Khan Younis.

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China-EU relations

Exclusive | German vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Beijing talks as ties fray

Lars Klingbeil’s decision to chair talks comes after the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to cancel a trip to Beijing.

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German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil will chair talks between his Social Democrat Party and the Communist Party in Beijing next month. Photo: Reuters
China-Germany relations

German foreign minister urges ‘fair’ rare earth, chip trade with China

Johann Wadephul, who plans to reschedule a recently cancelled Beijing trip, says Germany is committed to ensuring fair trade with China.

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Legacy of war in Asia

Opinion | Why Asia still hasn’t emerged from the shadows of World War II

With its vision for a just world order, China is positioning itself on the right side of history, while the US retreats from the post-war order it shaped.

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Ukraine war

Idea of sending German troops to post-war Ukraine slammed as ‘dangerous’

Berlin’s peacekeeping plans face backlash over Nazi past, with Chancellor Merz’s coalition accused of warmongering.

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A Russian tank fires during a training session at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on August 15. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP
South China Sea

Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?

The recent collision involving two Chinese vessels and other developments have led to a risky situation in the South China Sea, analysts say.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel with a damaged bow after a collision with a Chinese navy vessel on August 11 near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila says the Philippine coastguard – not the navy – would continue to lead operations in the disputed waters. Photo: EPA
Japan

Japan, Germany to boost security cooperation amid wars, shifting US ties

Foreign ministers pledge to work closely towards a ‘just and lasting peace’ in Ukraine, cooperate on Indo-Pacific and Middle East issues.

Ukraine war

Trump eases China pressure despite no deal at Putin summit

US president rules out further China tariffs for now, saying Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin about peace in Ukraine ‘went very well’.

China-EU relations

Rare earth exports should never come between us, China’s Wang Yi tells Europe

China’s foreign minister tells news conference in Germany that Chinese authorities have a ‘fast-track channel’ for European companies.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (right) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands at the end of their joint press conference in Berlin. Photo: dpa
Ukraine war

Moscow-appointed leader says Russia has full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

If confirmed, it would be the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Moscow since the 2022 invasion, a claim Kyiv has yet to address.

Ukrainian forces in a modified armoured personnel carrier in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
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