Olaf Scholz on China

Olaf Scholz's core position on China is characterized by a commitment to maintaining and strengthening bilateral economic ties, viewing China as an indispensable trade partner for Germany and Europe. This stance is evidenced by his continued high-level engagement, including frequent official visits accompanied by large business delegations, aimed at securing cooperation and market access. He notably advocates for 'de-risking' through diversification rather than 'decoupling,' emphasizing the need to reduce one-sided dependencies, especially in critical areas like raw materials and future technologies, while opposing protectionist measures like outright trade barriers.

This position often contrasts with more hawkish elements within his coalition and has been described as resistant to linking policy heavily with human rights concerns, which his foreign minister has attempted to push. Scholz prioritizes a differentiated approach, seeking areas of mutual interest like climate change while insisting on reciprocity in market access and intellectual property rights. His approach has sometimes been perceived as prioritizing economic stability and company interests, leading to criticism that Germany is reluctant to exercise its full political influence within the EU on critical issues.