German Chancellor Merz says decoupling from China would hamper economic opportunities

Chancellor Merz's emphasis on the importance of fair competition with China highlights Germany's intent to maintain economic ties rather than fully decouple.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 24 Feb 2026, 17:14 UTCOn the live feed at 16:54 UTC — 4 more headlines followed before this page went public

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It is crucial that Sino-German competition is fair and transparent.

Context

This stance could resonate across the EU, as it suggests a preference for constructive engagement over confrontation, impacting trade sentiment and potentially benefitting sectors reliant on Chinese imports and exports. Watch for market reactions in related equities and commodities as investors digest these remarks.

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