China Seeks German Assistance to Avert EU Trade Sanctions Ahead of Xi-Trump Summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations

· Diplomatic Outreach: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, during a phone call to help prevent the EU from enacting protectionist trade measures against China ahead of President Xi Jinping's U.S. visit.

· EU Trade Pressures: The EU plans to evaluate its surging trade deficit with China—which reached a record high—at a mid-October summit, while upcoming trade talks are scheduled for early October following ministerial discussions in June.

· Germany-China Economic Strain: Although China reclaimed its spot as Germany’s top trading partner in 2025, Germany's trade deficit with China widened to roughly €55 billion (US$63 billion) in the first half of 2026, driven by a 12% drop in German exports to China.

· Multi-Front Strategy: As Xi heads to Washington for high-stakes talks with President Trump, Beijing's outreach to Berlin highlights its broader diplomatic effort to protect key European partnerships while managing relations with the U.S.

· Taiwan and Regional Issues: Wang Yi raised concerns regarding Taiwan, referencing a recent visit by Taiwanese officials to Germany, while the German side pressed China to use its influence to encourage peace negotiations regarding Russia-Ukraine and the crisis in Iran.

[ABS News Service/22.09.2026]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Germany to help steer the European Union away from protectionist measures against China, saying that Beijing and Brussels should not engage in trade wars just days before President Xi Jinping’s high-stakes US visit.

“China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, and a trade war should not be fought between them,” Wang told his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in a phone call on Monday.

According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Wang said open dialogue was the viable way to address each other’s concerns and encouraged Brussels to “stay on the right track of open cooperation, dialogue and consultation”.

He also called on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”.

EU leaders are scheduled to meet in mid-October to assess the bloc’s trade deficit with China and consider new policy tools to counter what Brussels views as unfair Chinese trade practices.

Strain has been building as China’s trade surplus with Europe surged to a record high in the first half of this year, stoking fears within the bloc that the region’s industrial capacity is being weakened.

In June, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to launch ministerial-level discussions on trade disparities and export restrictions. The second round of China-EU trade talks will take place in early October.

Commenting on China-German ties, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing and Berlin should jointly enhance strategic communication and mutual trust, and deepen practical cooperation as the world faces growing unilateralism and anti-globalisation.

The appeal comes as China-Germany ties also face mounting economic pressures and amid Berlin’s concerns about the trade imbalance with China.

Germany’s trade deficit with China widened to around €55 billion (US$63 billion) in the first half of 2026, while exports to China fell more than 12 per cent year on year to just under €37 billion, according to data from Germany Trade & Invest.

Yet China reclaimed its spot as Germany’s top trading partner in 2025 from the US, with the Trump administration’s protectionist tariffs damaging German exports to America.

Beijing is seeking to manage trade disputes on multiple fronts. With Xi heading to Washington this week for his first US state visit in more than a decade, the engagement with Germany indicates Beijing’s approach of sustaining European partnerships.

The phone call also touched on the Taiwan issue, with Wang Yi expressing hope that Germany would “take concrete action to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, creating necessary conditions for high-level exchanges”.

The comment appeared to reference a recent visit by Taiwanese officials to Europe, including its top diplomat Lin Chia-lung’s rare visit to Germany in June, which drew protests from Beijing.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US and Germany, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

In a brief statement, Germany’s foreign office said Wang and Wadephul agreed that “a stable global economy is in China’s, Germany’s and Europe’s interest” and that “trade relations have to be based on fair rules and a real level playing field”.

The two foreign ministers also discussed regional crises, including Iran and Ukraine.

According to the Chinese statement, Wang reiterated that “China is always committed to achieving peace and promoting talks”, expressing willingness to “continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Europe”.

The German statement said Wadephul asked China to use its “considerable influence on Russia to encourage peace negotiations on Ukraine” and urged Beijing to “constructively use its influence on Iran”.