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Chancellor Merz's First China Visit to Boost Trade

2/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit China next week, his first official trip since taking office in May.
The visit, proposed by China for the Lunar New Year, aims to strengthen economic ties through cooperation and competition.
He will meet Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping and visit the Forbidden City and Mercedes-Benz.
China has reclaimed Germany's top trading partner status, with €251.8 billion in trade last year.

History

Historical Context

In 2019, Germany and China formalized their economic partnership with a trade agreement, achieving €251.8 billion in bilateral trade, making China Germany's largest trading partner. This shift reflects Germany's strategic pivot from traditional allies like the United States, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to strengthen ties with China amid evolving global economic dynamics.

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Story summary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit China next week, his first official trip since taking office in May.
The visit, proposed by China for the Lunar New Year, aims to strengthen economic ties through cooperation and competition.
He will meet Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping and visit the Forbidden City and Mercedes-Benz.
China has reclaimed Germany's top trading partner status, with €251.8 billion in trade last year.

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