German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits China to balance economic ties and de-risking amidst a growing trade deficit and US pressure. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out his complaints in a frank message to his hosts on a trip to Beijing that China had designed to showcase their relationship.

Before boarding his plane in Germany, Merz said he would seek to forge a “balanced, reliable, regulated and fair” partnership with Xi, adding that he would address China’s “export restrictions” and competitive “distortions”.

By Andreas Rinke STUTTGART, Germany, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed on Friday not to let the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party "ruin" Germany and told his fellow conservatives to prepare for a raw new climate of great-power competition.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip will test his ability to address tensions between the countries, at a time of strain between Europe and Washington.

A senior U.S. diplomat blasted German authorities over a police investigation into a retired man who referred to Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “Pinocchio.”

STUTTGART, Germany, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday ruled out a further loosening of German borrowing limits before the next federal election in 2029, arguing it would be irresponsible to take on more debt.

The conservative Christian Democratic Union party, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pushed on Saturday for lawmakers to reverse the country's nearly two-year-old law legalizing some cannabis use.