{
  "id": 17174038,
  "title": "Germany news: Friedrich Merz calls for global free trade alliance during Asia trip",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/germany-news-friedrich-merz-calls-for-global-free-trade-alliance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T04:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-friedrich-merz-calls-for-global-free-trade-alliance-during-asia-trip/live-79803462?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently urged for the establishment of a global network of nations committed to free trade, based on international rules. He made this statement while in South Korea, on the final day of his four-day Asia trip. The Chancellor addressed the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, emphasizing the need to unite against unilateralism, autocratic power politics, and violations of international law.\n\nMerz highlighted the dangers of supply chains becoming political pawns, access to key technologies being obstructed, and raw material security turning into a display of power rather than fair partnerships. These issues undermine growth, prosperity, and the security of entire regions.\n\nThis call for a global free trade alliance was not a new one for Merz, as he had previously expressed similar sentiments in Singapore and Japan. The German government relies heavily on Korea as a central hub for expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, according to South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong Sook.\n\nThe issue of Germany's next president has gained urgency, with many advocating for the nation's first female head of state. Chancellor Merz, however, has been tight-lipped about his future plans. Meanwhile, Chancellor Merz is concluding his Asia tour, while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is currently in China, where he is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.",
  "summary": "Chancellor Friedrich Merz's comments come at the end of his multi-day tour. Meanwhile, President Steinmeier is set to hold talks with Xi Jinping. DW has more.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Germany’s Merz calls for stronger global trade partnerships",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/germanys-merz-calls-for-stronger-global-trade-partnerships",
        "published": "2026-10-30T03:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}