Klingbeil seeks German access to critical raw materials in Beijing
German companies require fair and consistent access to critical raw materials, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Monday as he visited China.
After a meeting with Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, Klingbeil said competition with China must take place under fair conditions.
“Fair trade means ensuring reliable access to critical raw materials and reducing overcapacity,” said Klingbeil, who also serves as vice chancellor in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government.
China is the world’s leading producer of rare earths, which are highly sought after in industry as well as in the high-tech and defence sectors.
Beijing has restricted their export, forcing German companies to go through complex approval procedures and often receive only small quantities.
Klingbeil is the first German minister to travel to China since Merz’s conservative-led administration took office in May.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed a planned trip a few weeks ago because he was unable to secure sufficiently high-ranking discussion partners in Beijing amid tensions over Taiwan.
At the start of the meeting, He called for more dialogue and sought investment from Germany.
“The Chinese side invites German companies to come to China to invest,” the vice premier said.
At the same time, Chinese companies are being encouraged to set up branches in Germany.
The Chinese vice premier did not address trade in raw materials but emphasized his desire to promote a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for all parties.
With regard to disputes with the European Union, He said that China hopes Germany will use its influence to bring the two sides closer together again.
Brussels has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars, with Beijing responding by initiating anti-dumping investigations into certain EU products.
