Friedrich Merz's recent trip to Beijing underscores the challenges Germany faces in addressing its reliance on China, especially in light of the strong alliance between Moscow and Beijing. The article suggests that Germany cannot mitigate this dependency alone and emphasizes the necessity for collective pressure from the European Union. The dynamics of international relations have shifted significantly, with China's mercantilist policies creating a web of global dependencies, trapping countries like Germany in complex economic ties that are difficult to disentangle.

In his visit, Merz aimed for a cordial dialogue and referred to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with China. However, the context reveals a more strained reality where Germany's economic interests are heavily aligned with China's, largely due to the geopolitical repercussions of Russia's actions in Ukraine. The article critiques previous European foreign policy approaches as overly idealistic, suggesting that a more pragmatic, strategic realism is essential to navigate the current geopolitical landscape.

As tensions rise over the balance of power and economic interdependencies, it remains to be seen how Germany will recalibrate its foreign policy to better align with EU partners. The implications of Merz's visit reflect broader concerns about U.S. credibility in geopolitics and the necessity for European unity in confronting challenges posed by both China and Russia. In this intricate chess game of international relations, Germany's ability to assert its interests may hinge on collaborative EU strategies to influence China effectively, rather than relying on isolated diplomatic efforts.