Germany’s Merz Reaches Out to Xi Before Inaugural Trip to China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sent a conciliatory message to President Xi Jinping as he departed Berlin on his inaugural trip to China, while urging the government in Beijing to help ensure “fair and transparent” rules-based commerce.

Merz acknowledged that Germany and Europe need to do their own homework to boost competitiveness and resilience, but said there should also be an honest discussion during his trip of what to do when “systemic overcapacity and export and access restrictions distort competition.”