Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Germany to play a constructive role within the European Union in resisting protectionism and avoiding trade conflicts during a phone call with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul this week. The discussion took place ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to the United States, marking a key moment in Beijing’s efforts to maintain stable ties with Europe amid rising economic tensions.
Wang emphasized the importance of China-EU relations as comprehensive strategic partners and warned against pursuing a trade war between the two sides. He advocated for open dialogue to address mutual concerns and encouraged both Berlin and Brussels to adhere to a pragmatic approach based on cooperation, consultation, and free trade principles.
The EU is currently considering new measures to address its growing trade deficit with China, which reached a record surplus in the first half of this year. Brussels has expressed concern that China’s expanding exports are undermining the region’s industrial competitiveness, exacerbating strains in China-EU economic relations. In response, China has launched high-level ministerial talks with the EU, including recent encounters between China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, to discuss trade imbalances and export restrictions. A second round of these China-EU trade discussions is scheduled for early next month.
Wang also highlighted the importance of stronger strategic communication and enhanced mutual trust between Beijing and Berlin to deepen practical cooperation amid a global environment marked by unilateralism and challenges to globalization. Notably, China overtook the United States as Germany’s top trading partner last year—a shift attributed in part to American tariffs impacting German exports.
The conversation additionally touched on the sensitive Taiwan issue. Wang expressed hope that Germany would take “concrete action” to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a reference likely linked to recent visits by Taiwanese officials to Europe, including Lin Chia-lung’s unprecedented trip to Germany in June, which Beijing protested. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, while Germany and most Western countries do not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. The United States remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s defense against potential aggression.
In a joint statement, the German Foreign Office confirmed that Wadephul and Wang agreed on the importance of a stable global economy, describing it as a shared interest of China, Germany, and Europe. They also concurred that trade relations should be founded on equitable rules and a level playing field. The ministers further exchanged views on ongoing crises in regions such as Iran and Ukraine, reflecting shared concerns about global stability.