German foreign minister stresses importance of fair trade in Beijing

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul began his visit to China on Monday, stressing the importance of fair and rules-based trade.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) needed to develop sustainable solutions in this context, he said during talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing.

Wadephul said China is Germany’s most important trading partner and that Berlin wants to maintain and expand the partnership.

The foreign minister said the aim was to identify “where we can strengthen our economic relations, but also determine where obstacles exist.” Germany is not a supporter of protectionism, he said. “We are in favour of free world trade. We are in favour of removing trade barriers.”

The German government also believed it is important “to keep a close eye on ensuring that indirect state influence does not lead to competitive imbalances,” Wadephul added.

Wadephul’s trip comes six weeks after he was forced to delay his original visit when Beijing had not confirmed enough meetings with key leaders amid tensions over Taiwan.

Wadephul to address China’s rare-earth restrictions

During talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Wang Wentao, Wadephul was expected to address Chinese restrictions on rare-earth exports, which have made life difficult for European businesses that rely on the resources for manufacturing engines, sensors and turbines.

Germany’s top diplomat also plans to bring up China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. China has been accused by the West of supporting the Russian war effort, including by purchasing Russian oil, while insisting on being neutral.

In Beijing, Wadephul is also set to be received by Vice President Han Zheng and diplomat Liu Haixing, head of the international department of the Chinese Communist Party.

Wadephul had originally planned to make his first visit to China on October 27 and 28. On October 24, however, he scrapped his plans, explaining that Beijing had not confirmed any further appointments apart from a meeting with Wang.

Earlier that day, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman had slammed Berlin over its unwillingness to reject Taiwanese independence.

Wadephul has repeatedly criticized Beijing over threatening to unilaterally change the status quo in the region, calling the superpower out on what he describes as its increasingly aggressive policy in the Indo-Pacific.