Germany Strengthens Trade Ties With China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz led a high-level trade delegation to China on his first official visit, accompanied by about 30 senior executives from automotive, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, machinery and circular-economy firms, China's Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday. The ministry said bilateral trade now tops $200 billion annually with two-way investment stock over $65 billion, and it urged German firms to expand cooperation in clean energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and industrial digitalization as China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).