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Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties
Critical minerals and Ukraine war expected to be top priorities as Germany’s foreign minister travels to China
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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s trip to China this week signals a mutual desire to resume high-level dialogue amid mounting economic and geopolitical tensions, according to analysts.
But they cautioned that the visit, which could lay the groundwork for a trip by Chancellor Friedrich Merz early next year, should be viewed as pragmatic management of a complex “systemic rivalry”, rather than a major reset in Beijing’s relations with Berlin or Brussels.
For Germany, securing access to Chinese critical minerals – vital for its automotive and renewable industries – is a top priority, alongside seeking China’s diplomatic influence regarding the war in Ukraine, experts said.
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Wilson Chan, director of research at Orientis Limited, a Hong Kong-based Europe-focused advisory firm, said that trade related to critical mechanisms and materials would be important items on Wadephul’s agenda.
“Germany has vast interests in those areas, especially in their manufacturing,” Chan said.
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He added that Berlin and Brussels wanted “some guarantees” from Beijing on rare earth supplies “as soon as possible”, similar to those China had given to the United States.
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