Germany does not want China decoupling but must defend its interests, president warns

Germany is not seeking to decouple from China, but must defend its economic interests, visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in Beijing on Thursday, echoing the line taken by Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his tour of neighbouring countries.Speaking at Peking University, Steinmeier insisted that Europe’s goal was not to sever ties with the world’s second-largest economy, but to reset the relationship on a fairer footing.“Our goal as Europeans is clear. We do not want decoupling from China,” he told students and academic staff.