Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Germany’s Finance Chief Opens Beijing Talks as China Trade Gap Hits Record

Berlin seeks leverage through EU-aligned positions.

Overview

  • Lars Klingbeil meets Vice Premier He Lifeng in the German‑Chinese financial dialogue, the new coalition’s first cabinet‑level engagement in China.
  • Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel and a small delegation from banks and insurers are joining the visit, with stops in Shanghai and Singapore to follow.
  • Germany faces a forecast €87 billion trade deficit with China in 2025 as exports to China fell 13.5% and imports rose 8.3% in the first eight months of the year.
  • Berlin plans to raise Chinese limits on rare earths and concerns from the Nexperia chip‑export dispute after recent shocks to European supply chains.
  • Parliament has set up an expert commission to rethink China trade policy, while industry groups warn that U.S. tariffs are diverting Chinese goods into Europe and intensifying competitive pressure.