China-Germany relations

The two use similar language to talk about China, but that doesn't mean their positions are the same.

The Lithuanian delegation in particular drew parallels between the threat they face from Russia and the threat Taiwan faces from China.

The German chancellor’s trip to China was driven by pragmatic calculations – and it seems to have paid off.

The recent visits to Beijing of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel reflected the ongoing attempt to calibrate Europe’s China policy.

There were few deliverables from the short visit, but Beijing is hopeful it indicates Germany is moving out of alignment with the U.S. approach to China.

Olaf Scholz’s visit to China represents a break with the Coalition Agreement and a return to a commercial foreign policy approach.

Olaf Scholz has kept Germany’s business-first approach to China but that’s increasingly at odds with trends at home and abroad.

Under new Chancellor Scholz, obstacles remain for transatlantic coordination on China.

In the interplay between the new chancellor and his cabinet, the greatest determinant of Germany’s future China policy will be a third actor – Xi Jinping.

The noble idea of ​​value-based foreign policy in post-Merkel Germany could quickly reach its limits.

As Merkel’s lengthy term comes to an end, the frigate deployment may be the beginning of a sea change in Germany’s China approach.