When ideology can’t stand up to reality: Why Germany is turning back to China

Berlin is recalibrating its policy towards Beijing as economic gravity overrides ideological distance

When Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in Beijing late last month for his first official visit to China, the symbolism was unmistakable. He joined a growing procession of Western leaders – following French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of 2025 and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the beginning of 2026 – seeking face time in the Chinese capital.