“First, Germany does not want a new Cold War; second, Germany does not want to be an enemy of China”…
On July 14, local time, German Chancellor Merkel began her last visit to the United States during her term of office. At the same time, US President Biden welcomed the first European leader to visit after taking office. In view of the fact that China policy is currently one of the main points of divergence between Germany and the United States and even Europe and the United States, how to deal with China has become a topic of concern during this trip.
“Foreign Policy” magazine predicts that Biden and Merkel will try to echo each other’s views at this week’s meeting, but deep-seated transatlantic tensions still exist.
Screenshot of “Foreign Policy” magazine
“Foreign Policy” magazine stated that the Biden administration regards the full rise of China as the biggest geopolitical challenge, and tries to unite its Western allies as much as possible to create a “democratic alliance” to jointly counter China. However, Germany and even the European Union do not want to fully confront China.
Germany claims that China has been Germany’s largest trading partner for five consecutive years. According to the latest data released by Eurostat this year, in 2020, the EU’s largest trading partner will also change from the United States to China. Just before the G7 summit in June this year, Merkel made it clear that China is an opponent in many aspects, “but on many issues, China is also a partner.”
Mistrust is mutual. Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with Europe’s unwillingness to join the strategy of pressure on China. At the same time, Europe has doubts about the durability of the United States as a partner.
Steven Pifer, a European expert at the Brookings Institution, said: “We have seen Biden return to normal in the transatlantic relationship. We like this state, but the one who voted for Trump Will 74 million people agree to this?”
“Washington Post” reporter Philip Luke also said that Trump is still the dominant power of the Republican Party, and he is considering the withdrawal of the United States from NATO after winning a second term.
At a deeper level, for Americans, Europe’s geopolitical center may no longer be so important. As the Biden team pays more and more attention to Indo-Pacific relations, a four-sided mechanism composed of the United States, Japan, India and Australia has emerged. “Germany’s attention will be less and less, it will take a long time to adapt.” Piffer said.
During the G7 summit, the United States and Germany had already divided their China policies.Source: Getty Images
It is also difficult for Europe to ignore the fact that the Biden administration has continued Trump’s hostility towards China. No leader can better reflect Europe’s skepticism towards the United States than Merkel. She not only has a bad relationship with Trump, but also strives to establish a better relationship with China. Even before Biden took office, she pushed other EU member states to approve the China-EU investment agreement, and China has become Germany’s and the EU’s largest trading partner.
Ulrich Speck, an expert at the German Marshall Foundation, said, “Merkel will come to Washington with two messages: first, Germany does not want a new Cold War; second, Germany does not want to be an enemy of China. If the United States wants Let Germany embark on a path that is hostile to China and she will not join.”
“Foreign Policy” teased that the relationship between the United States and post-war Europe is more like an arranged marriage for 75 years-it is always full of tension and threats of alienation.
But one thing is clear: Despite the many contradictions and differences between the two sides, Biden and Merkel will reiterate the alliance between the United States and Europe. At least in terms of “democracy” and “human rights,” the relationship between the United States and Europe is still a bastion of common values.
As the German federal election approaches and Merkel is about to retire this fall, it is not yet known whether Germany’s China policy will change. At present, many parties have clearly stated in their campaign platforms that Germany should use European and American cooperation to counter China, and at the same time carry out extensive cooperation with China on issues such as climate change.
Original title: About China Merkel came to Washington with two messages
Editor in charge: Yang Ziwei