German chancellor warns of trade imbalance with China during first Beijing trip

During his first official visit to Beijing, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that a yawning trade imbalance between his country and China is “not healthy”.

Imports into Germany from China were more than double the value of those exported back last year, according to federal statistics.

Merz said he wanted to find ways “to reduce this trade deficit” which had “quadrupled” in five years.

Merz said he’d also asked Beijing to use its influence with Moscow to help end the war in Ukraine.

However, the huge trade gap loomed large over the talks with the Chancellor, who was followed by a big business delegation.

Former long-serving Chancellor Angel Merkel faced frequent accusations of brushing aside human rights concerns in favour of deepening economic ties with Beijing.

Such deep ties – and dependencies – are now not easily discarded.

Speaking to reporters, Merz said the relationship opens up opportunities, “but also entails risks.”

“We want to further strengthen our partnership… However, we will of course also protect our interests,” he said, after earlier stating that trying to decouple from China would be a mistake.