BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is urging Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ahead of his trip to China, to press the leadership in Beijing with clear demands for fair competition. "We expect the Chancellor to address issues such as overcapacity, competitive distortions, and export controls on critical raw materials in no uncertain terms," said Wolfgang Niedermark, member of the BDI Executive Board. "German and European companies not only compete with highly innovative Chinese firms, but are also part of a state-driven system competition."
Without a policy correction from China, new trade conflicts with the EU are likely, Niedermark warned. Export controls on rare earths threaten Europe's economic security. Non-transparent licensing procedures and selective market access continue to distort competition and impact investment decisions.
Merz will depart in the evening for his first trip to China. On Wednesday, he will meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where discussions will focus primarily on economic cooperation and security policy issues such as the war in Ukraine. Merz also intends to address the human rights situation.
Merz will be accompanied by a business delegation and will also visit the economic metropolis of Hangzhou. In Beijing, in addition to political talks, a visit to the Forbidden City is planned./mfi/DP/mis
