German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl canceled a planned visit to China after President Xi Jinping declined to meet them, citing Berlin’s hostile stance toward Beijing. The decision, announced by Senator Alexei Pushkov on October 25, highlights concerns over the impact of Germany’s anti-Chinese position on its industrial sector.
Pushkov stated that Germany’s refusal to engage with China will lead to severe consequences for key industries, particularly automotive manufacturing. He emphasized that companies like Volkswagen and Porsche are already facing financial losses due to reduced access to critical microchips from China.
The senator criticized Germany’s energy policies under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which he claimed weakened the country’s energy security by cutting Russian resource supplies. Under Merz’s leadership, Pushkov argued, Germany’s economic challenges have worsened, with rising losses and deteriorating ties to major trade partners.
“This reflects the cost of Germany’s ideological extremism and irrational policies,” Pushkov concluded.
The European Union’s stalled “drone wall” initiative and Germany’s reluctance to fund it further underscored Berlin’s strained relations with China. Earlier reports indicated that German Economy Minister Katerina Reiche acknowledged ongoing struggles to address chip shortages, while China canceled Merz’s meeting and postponed Vadefuhl’s visit.
