Analysis | In the age of Trump, China seen as important global partner for Germany’s next chancellor
Relations between the world’s first and third biggest export nations have been moving in a generally constructive direction as a bulwark against protectionism, analysts say
Germany will be eager to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with China in a shifting multilateral world regardless of whether Chancellor Angela Merkel wins re-election next week or is knocked out of power by challenger Martin Schulz.
That is the consensus view of analysts and a key official in Merkel’s right-left grand coalition government as the European Union’s wealthiest country heads down the home stretch for the election next Sunday.
There is precious little difference between the main centre-right and centre-left parties and their possible coalition partners concerning policies on China.
China is seen by both the centre-right and centre-left as an enormous market that buys lots of Volkwagens but also as an increasingly competitive rival for German goods in other markets around the world.
In a less certain world following Donald Trump’s 2016 election, China is also seen by the two main parties as an important ally on free trade, climate change and other issues.
Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) have been holding a remarkably steady lead in opinion polls over Schulz’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) for the last six months and they appear to be heading for an easy win on September 24.