Diplomacy: China's Foreign Minister Wang – China and Europe should not engage in a trade war

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned in a phone conversation with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul about the risk of a trade war between China and Europe. Both sides are described as extensive strategic partners who should resolve their differences through dialogue, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang expressed the hope that Germany would adopt a pragmatic stance and support free trade as well as oppose protectionism within the EU.

The Foreign Ministry announced on the X social media platform that both ministers agreed on the importance of a stable world economy based on fair rules and genuine equal competition conditions. They emphasized that trade relations should be based on fair rules and true equal competitive conditions. Germany is among the loudest critics in the European Union (EU) of an unbalanced trade with China, which is fueled by industrial overcapacity and an undervalued currency, according to the Chinese communication.

Besides economic relations, the Chinese notification also discussed Iran, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Wang urged Germany to take concrete measures to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. The democratically governed island, which China claims as its own territory, had recently expanded its contacts with Europe, which angered China. The Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung had visited Germany in June, causing indignation in China.