German President Steinmeier targets China trip as Berlin sharpens trade stance

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is scheduled to travel to China in the coming weeks, despite growing tensions between the two nations over trade, according to sources familiar with the matter. This will be Steinmeier's first official visit to China since 2018, marking the end of his decade-long presidency in March 2027.

The trip coincides with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's upcoming visits to Japan and South Korea before the end of October. Although the president holds a largely ceremonial role, he still represents Germany abroad. Steinmeier's visit will be closely monitored for indications of further deterioration in Sino-German relations, as Berlin has recently adopted a tougher stance towards China due to concerns about increased competition in manufacturing.

Chancellor Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron recently signed a paper advocating for a new trade sanction mechanism, which could potentially exclude China or other trading partners from the EU single market if they violate rules. Steinmeier, initially a proponent of open relations with Russia and other Eastern powers during the post-Cold War era, changed his stance after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He has since urged Chinese leaders to help end the war and advocated for a careful recalibration of the relationship without severing ties. German politics have since shifted, with many believing that the symbiotic relationship between German manufacturers and Chinese factories has diminished, with domestic producers now competing more fiercely.

Additionally, a security concern arose when the German government blocked a large sale of Hamburg logistics company Zippel to China's state-owned shipping company COSCO due to potential negative impacts on supply chains.