France and Germany Deepen Defence Ties While Targeting China’s Trade Practices

On Friday, July 17 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met near Cologne and announced that Germany will join a French-led nuclear exercise later in the year. The two leaders also said German conventional forces will participate in the same drill, complementing NATO-based deterrence. In addition, both governments confirmed German involvement in a French-initiated Ukraine manoeuvre slated for autumn, to be organised under the “Coalition of the Willing” of Ukraine’s allies. The meeting created a “strategic steering group” to examine future deterrence measures and to coordinate the exact form of Germany’s participation.

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Macron and Merz pledged to produce a Franco-German “roadmap” by September aimed at countering what they described as China’s “unfair trade practices.” The plan will be drafted by the two countries’ economy, finance and foreign ministers and will seek to strengthen the European Commission’s mandate for faster market investigations and protective instruments. Both leaders highlighted sectors they consider vulnerable—chemicals, machine tools, automotive and others—and stressed the need to address the EU’s growing trade deficit with China, which Merz said has risen sharply in recent years.

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Macron framed the initiative as a response to “being shaken” by Beijing’s policies and emphasized protecting European companies. Merz linked the defence collaboration to a broader strategy of deterrence while noting that Germany remains committed to NATO’s nuclear posture. Both leaders indicated that the roadmap will reinforce EU mechanisms to safeguard industry and balance trade.

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Analysts note that the European Union remains divided on how to confront China’s surge of subsidised exports and a reportedly undervalued currency. France has long advocated a tougher stance, whereas Germany’s extensive commercial ties with China have traditionally fostered a more cautious approach. Critics argue that the lack of a unified EU position hampers effective action.

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• “Alongside this work on a shared doctrine, German conventional forces will this year take part in a nuclear exercise of the French military,” — Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany

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• “This is complementary to our nuclear participation and deterrence within NATO, which we still hold to,” — Friedrich Merz

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• “We are going to push again very strongly to reinforce the mandate given to the European Commission to move much faster on market investigations and on these instruments to protect our industries,” — Emmanuel Macron, President of France

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• “right now we are being shaken” — Emmanuel Macron

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• “I think it goes without saying that we have to address this imbalance, because it comes at the expense of our industry.” — Friedrich Merz

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