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Johann Wadephul

The latest news and updates on Johann Wadephul, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, having assumed the position in May 2025. A Member of the Bundestag since 2009, he previously served as Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, with significant responsibilities in foreign and security policy. A lawyer and reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Wadephul is a defence policy expert known for advocating robust German military support for Ukraine and deeper NATO integration. His expertise encompasses transatlantic relations, China, Russia, the Balkans, and the Middle East. He was also elected Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in November 2024.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a meeting in the White House in Washington on December 2. Photo: CNP/Abaca Press/TNS

US-China relations

Editorial | Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

The plan’s watering down of America’s antagonism towards China bodes well for both nations and the world.

21 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Australia

World leaders express horror at Bondi Beach attack as vigils held for victims

15 Dec 2025 - 6:28AM

United States

Outside In | It’s an expensive Christmas for Americans thanks to Trump’s tariffs

12 Dec 2025 - 5:08PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

12 Dec 2025 - 3:03AMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in Beijing on Monday. Photo: DPA

China-Germany relations

Editorial | Time for Germany to see reason and improve relations with China

With Trump and his frequently anti-European rhetoric, Berlin should see the writing on the wall and move away from its hardline stance.

11 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

China-Germany relations

Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’.

9 Dec 2025 - 2:08PM

China-EU relations

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

8 Dec 2025 - 8:58PM

Labourers work on an assembly line at a factory in Chongqing, China, in May. Beijing has pressed German carmakers to help resolve disputes over the European Union’s anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Photo: EPA-EFE

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-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

China-Germany relations

The great slowdown: Germany at a standstill as ‘China shock’ hits

As Europe’s biggest economy is pummelled by structural problems and external threats, rocky China ties are compounding the dreary picture.

6 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Beijing rebuffs Takaichi, Macron-Xi talks, key economic meeting

This week: China rejects Takaichi’s Taiwan climbdown, Macron visits Xi in Beijing, US deepens Taiwan ties, PBOC slams stablecoins. Next week: economic planning meeting, November trade and inflation data, Hong Kong Legco elections and more.

5 Dec 2025 - 5:12PM

European Union

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 war

‘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

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet on the margins of the G20 summit, in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: dpa

Germany

Outcry forces cancellation of Holocaust artefacts auction in Germany

The controversial sale, titled ‘The System of Terror’, was cancelled after high-level Polish intervention and outcry from Holocaust survivors.

17 Nov 2025 - 11:07AM

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza risks permanent partition between Israel and Hamas as Trump plan falters

Gaza reconstruction may be limited to Israeli-controlled areas, risking long-term division and placing Palestinian sovereignty in limbo.

11 Nov 2025 - 7:44PMvideocam

China-Germany relations

Germany must work with China to build trust after relations turned frosty: expert

Berlin’s foreign policy is bogged down by specifics and lacks vision, observer says.

9 Nov 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has put Beijing offside, making pointed remarks about Taiwan and voicing criticism about Beijing. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Second-in-command Hsiao Bi-khim addresses unofficial conference of lawmakers, prompting ‘indignation’ from Beijing.

8 Nov 2025 - 2:06PMvideocam

100

China-EU relations

7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’

A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.

7 Nov 2025 - 5:34PMvideocam

China-Germany relations

‘Pain of division’: Germany urged to oppose Taiwan separatist acts

Wang Yi says China ‘unconditionally supported Germany’s reunification’ and it hopes Berlin will support Beijing to safeguard sovereignty.

4 Nov 2025 - 3:15PMvideocam

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday after Wadephul postponed his China trip. Photo: Agencja Wyborcza.pl via Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel confirms 3 bodies received from Hamas are not hostages

The Gaza truce is in danger as Israel says three bodies returned are not hostages, and Hamas reports new strikes on Khan Younis.

1 Nov 2025 - 9:54PM

The Red Cross transports the body of a deceased hostage on Friday, who had been held in Gaza since the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Exclusive | German vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Beijing talks as ties fray

Lars Klingbeil’s decision to chair talks comes after the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to cancel a trip to Beijing.

30 Oct 2025 - 4:38AMvideocam

China-Germany relations

German foreign minister urges ‘fair’ rare earth, chip trade with China

Johann Wadephul, who plans to reschedule a recently cancelled Beijing trip, says Germany is committed to ensuring fair trade with China.

28 Oct 2025 - 6:34PM

Legacy of war in Asia

Opinion | Why Asia still hasn’t emerged from the shadows of World War II

With its vision for a just world order, China is positioning itself on the right side of history, while the US retreats from the post-war order it shaped.

11 Sep 2025 - 7:59AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Idea of sending German troops to post-war Ukraine slammed as ‘dangerous’

Berlin’s peacekeeping plans face backlash over Nazi past, with Chancellor Merz’s coalition accused of warmongering.

21 Aug 2025 - 3:37PMvideocam

A Russian tank fires during a training session at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on August 15. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

South China Sea

Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?

The recent collision involving two Chinese vessels and other developments have led to a risky situation in the South China Sea, analysts say.

20 Aug 2025 - 11:23PMvideocam

Japan

Japan, Germany to boost security cooperation amid wars, shifting US ties

Foreign ministers pledge to work closely towards a ‘just and lasting peace’ in Ukraine, cooperate on Indo-Pacific and Middle East issues.

18 Aug 2025 - 6:18PM

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Johann Wadephul

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

The plan’s watering down of America’s antagonism towards China bodes well for both nations and the world.

World leaders express horror at Bondi Beach attack as vigils held for victims

Outside In | It’s an expensive Christmas for Americans thanks to Trump’s tariffs

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

Editorial | Time for Germany to see reason and improve relations with China

With Trump and his frequently anti-European rhetoric, Berlin should see the writing on the wall and move away from its hardline stance.

Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’.

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

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.

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.

The great slowdown: Germany at a standstill as ‘China shock’ hits

As Europe’s biggest economy is pummelled by structural problems and external threats, rocky China ties are compounding the dreary picture.

Beijing rebuffs Takaichi, Macron-Xi talks, key economic meeting

This week: China rejects Takaichi’s Taiwan climbdown, Macron visits Xi in Beijing, US deepens Taiwan ties, PBOC slams stablecoins. Next week: economic planning meeting, November trade and inflation data, Hong Kong Legco elections and more.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

Outcry forces cancellation of Holocaust artefacts auction in Germany

The controversial sale, titled ‘The System of Terror’, was cancelled after high-level Polish intervention and outcry from Holocaust survivors.

Gaza risks permanent partition between Israel and Hamas as Trump plan falters

Gaza reconstruction may be limited to Israeli-controlled areas, risking long-term division and placing Palestinian sovereignty in limbo.

Germany must work with China to build trust after relations turned frosty: expert

Berlin’s foreign policy is bogged down by specifics and lacks vision, observer says.

Beijing protests after Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes speech at European Parliament

Second-in-command Hsiao Bi-khim addresses unofficial conference of lawmakers, prompting ‘indignation’ from Beijing.

7 minutes on Asia: Europe’s struggle for relevance in the age of Trump’s ‘G2’

A brief discussion on the Indo-Pacific suggests a union that is increasingly peripheral – on China and arguably almost everything else.

‘Pain of division’: Germany urged to oppose Taiwan separatist acts

Wang Yi says China ‘unconditionally supported Germany’s reunification’ and it hopes Berlin will support Beijing to safeguard sovereignty.

Israel confirms 3 bodies received from Hamas are not hostages

The Gaza truce is in danger as Israel says three bodies returned are not hostages, and Hamas reports new strikes on Khan Younis.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | German vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Beijing talks as ties fray

Lars Klingbeil’s decision to chair talks comes after the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to cancel a trip to Beijing.

German foreign minister urges ‘fair’ rare earth, chip trade with China

Johann Wadephul, who plans to reschedule a recently cancelled Beijing trip, says Germany is committed to ensuring fair trade with China.

Opinion | Why Asia still hasn’t emerged from the shadows of World War II

With its vision for a just world order, China is positioning itself on the right side of history, while the US retreats from the post-war order it shaped.

Idea of sending German troops to post-war Ukraine slammed as ‘dangerous’

Berlin’s peacekeeping plans face backlash over Nazi past, with Chancellor Merz’s coalition accused of warmongering.

Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?

The recent collision involving two Chinese vessels and other developments have led to a risky situation in the South China Sea, analysts say.

Japan, Germany to boost security cooperation amid wars, shifting US ties

Foreign ministers pledge to work closely towards a ‘just and lasting peace’ in Ukraine, cooperate on Indo-Pacific and Middle East issues.

Editorial | Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

Exclusive | German vice-chancellor to lead Social Democrat-Beijing talks as ties fray