Germany's China Conundrum Deepens Amid Growing Influence in European Market
Published on 6.2.25
Germany's China Conundrum Deepens
Germany and China have been strengthening their ties despite differing views on various global issues, with Chinese President Xi Jinping urging German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to provide a fair business environment for Chinese companies. This comes as Germany pursues a policy of "de-risking" towards China to reduce economic dependence on authoritarian states.
A recent survey by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation found that net perceptions of China have surpassed those of the US in Europe, except in Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania where the US remains more popular. This shift in public opinion may be driven by China's growing influence in the European market, particularly in the automotive sector, where German manufacturers sell significant quantities of goods to China.
However, this rapprochement is not without its challenges. EU companies have been accused of engaging in sanctions busting, undermining the effectiveness of measures aimed at countering China's growing influence. The German government has also faced criticism for its handling of China's growing presence in Europe, with the country's Foreign Ministry accused of making "groundless accusations" against China after it rejected a statement made by the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
This incident highlights the complexities and tensions surrounding Germany-China ties, which are likely to continue as both countries navigate their differing views on global issues.