Germany’s changing China policy
Germany’s China policy is all at sea; drifting without anchor. In the past, it was dominated by a clear number of people, principles, and policies. It was driven by the Merkel Chancellery, under the guiding principle of Wandel durch Handel (change through trade), pursuing a clear policy of engagement in the hopes it would turn China more liberal and democratic.
But this constellation has ended, and it has failed. Over Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure, China has changed. But for the worse, not the better. Beijing has become more authoritarian domestically and antagonistic internationally. Yet, Berlin was incapable of departing from its political course. Doing so would have openly admitted failure of a long-standing policy.
The inauguration of the new German government has offered a necessary break. Former advisors and ministers in Merkel’s cabinet, have grasped this opportunity to distance themselves from past policy. So too has Angela Merkel herself to some degree, when she acknowledged that Germany may have been “too naïve in our approach to some cooperation partnerships”.
Now, German China policy is at an inflection point. This year, the new traffic light coalition will draft Germany’s first-ever China strategy. But in which strategic direction will it go?
