China is making a direct appeal to Germany, hoping the EU's economic powerhouse can steer the bloc away from what Beijing sees as a rising tide of protectionism.
This move by China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao isn't happening in a vacuum; it's the result of a clear and escalating chain of events. At its core, the issue is the EU's shift from a strategy of 'de-risking' to implementing concrete trade barriers. This has created significant friction between two of the world's largest trading partners.
Let's break down the causal chain. First, the EU's trade defense measures have broadened significantly. It started with imposing countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in late 2024. Since then, the scrutiny has expanded to biodiesel, medical devices, wind turbine components, and most recently, solar inverters. From Beijing's perspective, this pattern looks less like a targeted adjustment and more like a systematic effort to block Chinese high-tech exports.
Second, the economic stakes are enormous. The EU's trade deficit with China grew to nearly €360 billion in 2025. This imbalance fuels political pressure in Europe to act. However, for an export-reliant nation like Germany, a full-blown trade war is a daunting prospect. German industries, especially the automotive sector, fear that harsh EU tariffs will provoke Chinese retaliation against their products, which rely heavily on the Chinese market. This economic vulnerability is precisely why China is targeting Germany for its diplomatic efforts.
Finally, Germany's past actions have positioned it as a potential mediator. Berlin opposed the highest tariffs on Chinese EVs in 2024, and its powerful auto lobby has consistently advocated for negotiation over confrontation. With the U.S. market largely closed off by its own steep tariffs, the EU has become the primary battleground for Chinese exports. China believes that if any single EU member can persuade Brussels to seek a compromise, it's Germany. Minister Wang's appeal is a calculated move to leverage Germany's influence to de-escalate tensions and find a middle ground.
- De-risking: A strategy aimed at reducing dependency on a single country for critical supply chains without completely cutting off economic ties. It's seen as a softer alternative to 'decoupling'.
- Protectionism: Economic policies designed to restrict imports from other countries through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, import quotas, and other government regulations. The goal is to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
- Countervailing duties: Tariffs imposed on imported goods to offset subsidies provided by the exporting country's government. They are intended to level the playing field for domestic producers who do not receive such subsidies.