German President Steinmeier Set for China Visit Amid Escalating Trade Tensions

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is preparing for a trip to China in the coming weeks, even as bilateral ties deteriorate over trade disputes, according to several sources briefed on the plans.

This will be Steinmeier’s first official visit to China since 2018. A former foreign minister, his ten‑year presidential term concludes in March 2027. The trip is scheduled to overlap with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visits to Japan and South Korea before the end of October.

Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, with real political authority residing with the chancellor and cabinet, the president still serves as the nation’s representative on the world stage.

Balancing trade and economic rivalry: the outlook for Sino‑German relations

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