German Minister's Early China Meeting Criticized as Undermining EU Unity

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche's early meeting with China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, prior to official EU-China trade negotiations, has sparked sharp criticism from German media. The outlet Handelsblatt accused Berlin of undermining European unity and signaling a lack of cohesion to Beijing.

Last year, the EU's trade deficit with China reached a staggering 360 billion euros (approximately $385 billion), prompting calls from various member states, including Italy, the Netherlands, and France, for stronger EU policies and tools to compel China to stimulate domestic demand and reduce subsidies. Germany, despite initially agreeing to these initiatives, reportedly expressed reservations through its Economy Ministry, citing concerns about provoking China.

Handelsblatt questioned Reiche's decision to meet Wang Wentao before the formal EU talks, suggesting it sends a confusing signal and implies Germany believes it holds a unique or privileged position in negotiations. The commentary emphasized that trade policy authority now rests with Brussels, and only the EU's trade commissioner should represent the bloc in such discussions. The article questioned whether German Chancellor Olaf Scholz still holds sway over China policy if individual ministers pursue separate agendas.

The German media's critique highlights a perceived divergence between Germany's stated commitment to a unified EU stance on China and its minister's actions. The commentary suggests that if member states engage in separate dialogues, China could exploit these divisions, negotiating with individual nations rather than a united European bloc.