Angela Merkel on China

Angela Merkel's core position on China throughout her tenure was characterized by a deep commitment to economic partnership, viewing the country as Germany’s most important trading partner with whom a stable relationship was essential for German industry and multilateralism. She consistently traveled with large business delegations and lobbied for German commercial interests, pushing for deals like the EU-China investment accord, while simultaneously balancing this by acknowledging the need for fair trade and occasionally addressing human rights issues like those in Hong Kong. This balancing act was evident in her willingness to engage directly with Beijing on global issues such as climate change and WTO reform, often advocating for an EU China policy distinct from Washington’s.

However, her approach evolved under pressure, transitioning from an initial, softer stance to a more guarded one, especially following specific corporate takeover attempts that signaled China’s strategic industrial ambition, such as the Kuka acquisition. Although Merkel resisted adopting the label of 'systemic rival' used by some allies and largely avoided explicit criticism on issues like Xinjiang, her later government began to push for EU-level coordination on foreign investment screening, suggesting a growing recognition of China as a competitor. Her final years saw her warn against complete 'decoupling' from China, emphasizing continued cooperation despite acknowledging protectionist tendencies and IP protection challenges.