Olaf Scholz Is on a Telltale China Trip
Europe is flexing its muscles with China—but may soon learn if Germany is really on board.
After years of speaking softly and carrying a small stick, the European Union has begun flexing its economic muscles with China, concerned that an influx of cheap Chinese products could kill off homegrown industries. The big question is whether Germany, the bloc’s biggest economy, is fully on board with the more assertive approach.
After years of speaking softly and carrying a small stick, the European Union has begun flexing its economic muscles with China, concerned that an influx of cheap Chinese products could kill off homegrown industries. The big question is whether Germany, the bloc’s biggest economy, is fully on board with the more assertive approach.
This is what makes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China next week especially interesting. Berlin’s policy toward Beijing has hardened in recent years. Last July, Scholz’s government came out with a toughly worded China strategy that shifted the focus to de-risking, diversification, and a reduction of dependencies on China.
Olaf Scholz Is on a Telltale China Trip
Europe is flexing its muscles with China—but may soon learn if Germany is really on board.
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