Trier, Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would seek “strategic partnerships” during a visit to China next week as he criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda and warned Europe could respond.
China visit and strategic partnerships
Speaking at his party’s Ash Wednesday event in Trier, Merz said Germany had a strategic interest in finding partners willing to shape the future together and that foreign and economic policy could no longer be separated. He said Germany wanted partners “who think the way we do, who act the way we do, and who above all are prepared to shape the future together so that we remain a country with prosperity and a high level of social security.”
Criticism of U.S. tariff policy
Merz criticised Trump’s tariff agenda, saying it was testing relations between Washington and its European allies and threatening to inflict further damage on Germany’s already struggling economy. “If the Americans believe that, with their tariff policy, they should exert influence around the world — if they believe that tariffs are more important than taxes at home — then that is something Americans can, of course, decide for themselves. But it is not our policy,” he said.
Europe’s response and approach to transatlantic ties
Merz said Europe was prepared to respond if Washington pressed ahead with further tariff increases, while leaving the door open to renewed transatlantic cooperation. “You can do it, but we will not go along with it. And if you overdo it, then we Europeans are certainly able to defend ourselves against it,” he said.
He pointed to Europe’s united response to a recent flare-up linked to Greenland as evidence of the bloc’s capacity to act in concert, and described a dual approach of engagement with Washington alongside cohesion within the European Union to defend European interests. “That is our double strategy: an outstretched hand and, at any time, a renewed partnership — but also enough cohesion and unity within the European Union so that we can defend ourselves sufficiently against things we do not want,” he said.
How do you think Germany’s push for strategic partnerships will affect its approach to relations with the United States and China?
