Full Breakdown
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Embarks on Asia Tour Focused on Trade and Security
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Upcoming Visits to Singapore, Japan, and South Korea
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to travel to three Asian economies next week for a series of economic and security meetings. He will depart Berlin on Monday, travel to Singapore on Tuesday for talks with the prime minister and president and deliver a speech, then fly to Tokyo on Wednesday for a meeting with Japan’s prime minister and participation in a German-Japanese economic summit. The tour will conclude in Seoul, where Merz will meet South Korea’s president and open the 19th annual Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK). A German business delegation will accompany him throughout the trip.
Background & Context: Germany’s Strategic Engagement with Asia
The itinerary reflects Germany’s aim to deepen collaboration with nations it describes as possessing “great innovative power.” German officials emphasize a shared commitment to open, rules-based trade and the need to bolster economic resilience and security, especially regarding global supply chains. The three stops target key partners in technology, manufacturing, and regional stability, aligning with broader German foreign-policy goals of diversifying trade links and reinforcing supply-chain robustness.
Official Statements & Responses
Deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer outlined the trip’s objectives at a Friday press briefing, stressing that Germany and the three host countries share a desire to strengthen economic resilience and security. Meyer highlighted the importance of cooperation on future-relevant topics such as artificial intelligence, noting that the business delegation will explore opportunities to enhance joint innovation and trade frameworks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We share with ?all three countries ?a commitment to open, rules-based trade and a desire to strengthen economic resilience and security, particularly with regard to global ?supply chains,” — Steffen Meyer, deputy government spokesman
What’s Next: Planned Meetings and Conferences
During the Singapore stop, Merz will address local leaders before moving to Tokyo for the bilateral economic summit. In Seoul, his opening remarks at the APK conference will focus on expanding German-Korean business ties and addressing supply-chain challenges. The Chancellor’s return to Berlin is scheduled for Friday, after which the German government is expected to release a summary of the trip’s outcomes and any agreed-upon initiatives.