Germany's Merz to push for 'fair' economic competition on first visit to China
France 24
by FRANCE24February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck is set to make his first official visit to China, focusing on pushing for fair economic competition during the trip. This comes as part of efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two nations while addressing concerns over market access and intellectual property rights in China. Habeck will likely raise issues faced by German companies operating in China, such as unequal treatment and forced technology transfers, which have long strained bilateral trade ties.
The visit is expected to include discussions on sustainable energy, green technologies, and digitalization, areas where both countries have shown interest. However, Habeck's agenda will also highlight the need for reciprocity in economic policies. He has emphasized the importance of fair competition to ensure that German businesses are not at a disadvantage compared to their Chinese counterparts.
The timing of this visit is significant as it coincides with growing tensions over global trade dynamics and the U.S.-China trade war, which has indirectly impacted European businesses
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/25/2026