Germany’s Merz the latest European leader to visit China amid tensions with US
The visit, scheduled at China's request, includes meetings with Xi Jinping and a tour of AI firm Unitree Robotics.
Deep Dive
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is making his first official visit to China since taking office. The two-day trip, scheduled at Beijing's request, includes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Key agenda items are the trade deficit, security, and the Ukraine war. Merz will also visit Chinese robotics firm Unitree, Mercedes-Benz, and Siemens Energy, accompanied by a business delegation aiming to navigate complex EU-China-US relations.
Why It Matters
The visit signals Europe's delicate balancing act between economic ties with China and strategic alignment with the US.