German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded a two-day visit to China on February 26, 2026, leading a high-level delegation of 30 senior executives from the country's major industrial enterprises. During the trip, Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across economic, technological, and diplomatic channels. The visit underscores Germany's continued engagement with China despite broader geopolitical tensions affecting European-Chinese relations.
China-Germany trade relations remain robust, with bilateral commerce reaching $292 billion in 2025, establishing China as Germany's largest trading partner. The substantial trade volume reflects the interconnectedness of both economies, particularly in automotive, machinery, and chemical sectors. The delegation's participation signals corporate confidence in continued commercial opportunities despite recent scrutiny of trade relationships between Europe and China.
The visit arrives amid heightened global uncertainties and broader discussions about stabilizing China-Europe relations. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and coordination on multilateral governance issues. The engagement represents an effort to balance growing international concerns about trade practices and geopolitical competition with the practical realities of deep economic integration between the two nations.