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Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: dpa

World Economic Forum (WEF, aka Davos)

Macron urges Europe to hit back against Trump’s threats

French president advocates use of the EU’s anti-coercion mechanism against US tariffs, as he warns of moving ‘towards a world without rules’.

49 minutes agovideocam

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

13 Jan 2026 - 5:46PMvideocam

Iran hits back as Germany’s chancellor says leadership facing ‘final days’

14 Jan 2026 - 2:34PMvideocam

India’s Modi to host German leader to bolster trade, defence ties

Merz’s visit is his first to an Asian country since he took office, ahead of a planned EU-India summit and as they work on a free-trade agreement.

11 Jan 2026 - 11:13PM

A poster featuring German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

9 Jan 2026 - 9:59PM

Ukraine’s allies agree to ‘robust’ security guarantees in push to end war

UK and France could deploy troops on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire, but a big question mark hangs over Russia’s response.

7 Jan 2026 - 7:20PM

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Russia’s Medvedev floats kidnapping scenario involving Germany’s Merz

Following the US raid in Venezuela, Russia’s ex-president said the kidnapping of Germany’s chancellor would be an ‘excellent twist’.

5 Jan 2026 - 4:29PM

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin in December. Photo: dpa

China-EU relations

‘Straddle the middle ground’: Europe’s hard choice over US attacks on Venezuela

Although they do not agree with Trump’s way of doing things, they seem to agree with his ultimate objectives, analyst in China says.

4 Jan 2026 - 9:43PMvideocam

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin residence, but Zelensky denies it

Ukraine denies accusation as a fabrication after Trump said he was ‘angry’ when Putin told him about the alleged attack.

30 Dec 2025 - 6:25PM

EU agrees US$106 billion loan for Ukraine, but without Russian assets

EU leaders reach a compromise after plans to use frozen Russian assets failed to gain backing.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:41PM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky after a press conference in Brussels on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Zelensky floats referendum on territory, as US pressure mounts to end war

Ukraine’s president says Russia wants ‘the whole of Donbas’ in return for peace, but Ukrainians must have their say.

12 Dec 2025 - 3:35PM

Ukrainian servicemen prepare targets with images depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters

Proposals on territorial concessions by Ukraine sent to Trump: Merz

The German chancellor emphasised Ukrainian consent in peace talks amid diplomatic tensions.

11 Dec 2025 - 7:30PM

Ukraine sends US a revised peace plan as Trump blasts European allies

US president says ‘pretty strong words’ were used in his discussion with leaders from the UK, France and Germany.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:10PM

European allies back Ukraine’s Zelensky after Trump criticism

Ukrainian president met leaders in London and Brussels, declaring that ceding territory to Russia - a central point of the US proposal - was impossible.

9 Dec 2025 - 9:16AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: AP

‘Follow me’: UK’s Starmer launches TikTok account despite security ban

Prime minister’s office insists ‘security mitigations’ are in place as he turns to the popular Chinese-owned app for greater outreach.

9 Dec 2025 - 2:38PM

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer taking part in a Q&A session last month on youth employment and the cost of living. Photo: Reuters

China-Germany relations

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

Critical minerals, semiconductors and other commodities dominate talks as Johann Wadephul begins trip to China aimed at addressing trade.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:38PM

China-EU relations

Opinion | In reaching out to China, European states can’t keep acting alone

The idea of an autonomous bloc engaging Beijing from a position of strength and independence collapses when its toothless leaders visit.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:06PMvideocam

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

8 Dec 2025 - 4:04PM

Destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

China-Germany relations

Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

Critical minerals and Ukraine war expected to be top priorities as Germany’s foreign minister travels to China.

7 Dec 2025 - 11:14PM

Ukraine’s Zelensky holds ‘very substantive’ call with Trump envoys

The president’s negotiators are in Florida for talks on a US-led plan to end the war with Russia.

7 Dec 2025 - 1:20AM

China manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:05PMvideocam

Robot arms are seen at work on a car production line at a factory of FAW-Volkswagen in eastern China’s Shandong province on March 12. Photo: AFP

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:04PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Stumbling Germany needs a clear strategy on China

Berlin must ditch the fantasy that it can profit without strategic risks, stop acting like a junior partner and decide what it stands for.

25 Nov 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

China-EU relations

German foreign minister in ‘last stages of coordinating’ trip to China

Johann Wadephul also states he backs a speedier form of de-risking and diversifying away from Beijing’s stronghold on critical minerals.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:18PMvideocam

Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly strikes as negotiators race to refine deal

Hundreds of drones fired as negotiators thrash out changes to a US peace plan by Trump’s November 27 deadline.

25 Nov 2025 - 7:33PM

An explosion of a Russian drone in the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

25 Nov 2025 - 1:03AM

Servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire a Caesar howitzer at Russian troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

China-Germany relations

Premier Li Qiang urges Germany to be ‘rational and pragmatic’ on China policy

Meeting between Li and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on G20 sidelines marks a step towards mending ties.

24 Nov 2025 - 4:46PMvideocam

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:09PM

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