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Chancellor Scholz on tour of China: Between pragmatism and criticism
Accompany Chancellor Olaf Scholz on his trip to China, where he follows in the footsteps of Angela Merkel. Find out more about his challenges and the mixed reactions to his "pragmatic" course. #Germany #China #Trade relations
Chancellor Scholz on tour of China: Between pragmatism and criticism
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) goes on a trip to China that inevitably brings back memories of his predecessor Angela Merkel (CDU). The program includes three cities and talks with a business delegation, as Scholz faces the challenge of balancing the interests of his coalition partners and European allies with economic ties with China.
In the run-up to his trip, Scholz is being put under pressure from various sides. Washington, Paris, Brussels and also Germany are calling for a more robust stance towards China in order to protect Europe's economic interests. The Greens, for example, are pushing to reduce dependence on China more quickly and to take more consistent measures.
While calls for greater distance from China are becoming louder, German industry representatives are calling for increased cooperation. Scholz himself is said to have a more pro-China stance. His decision to allow the Chinese shipping company Cosco to enter a container terminal at the port of Hamburg was met with criticism in autumn 2022. In addition, the Chancellery's opening of an account on the Chinese platform Tiktok was interpreted as an indication of its “pragmatic” course.
The trip to China not only raises economic questions, but also political and security challenges in dealing with the important trading partner. Scholz is faced with the task of finding a diplomatic middle ground that takes into account the interests of various actors and at the same time strengthens Germany's strategic positions in international relations.