Germany's Top Diplomat Urges Chinese Pressure on Russia, Cautions Against EU Tariffs

Overview

• During a Dec. 7–9 visit to Beijing, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul asked China to use its leverage to push Russia toward a settlement of the war in Ukraine.
• Wadephul said no other country exerts comparable influence over Moscow, underscoring Berlin’s focus on Chinese mediation.
• At a press conference with Wang Yi, he argued EU duties on Chinese goods should remain a last resort because they risk a "ping-pong" of retaliatory measures.
• His position counters Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to consider tariffs to narrow the EU–China trade deficit, which the French leader said he discussed with Ursula von der Leyen.
• Earlier comments from Wadephul suggested a possible peace deal could involve painful concessions and a referendum in Ukraine, as the Kremlin continues to claim openness to talks and presses Kyiv to decide.