Despite significant economic policy disagreements and widespread condemnation regarding a recent Chinese laser incident targeting a German Air Force aircraft, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has affirmed his support for the planned EU-China summit in July.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Wadephul indicated a strong expectation that the summit will proceed as scheduled. He emphasized ongoing efforts to contribute to a constructive dialogue, noting the mutual benefit in reaching agreements on contentious issues such as electric vehicle subsidies and market access. “The economic situation in both markets isn’t promising” he stated, suggesting a need for compromise and collaboration.
Beyond the immediate summit preparations, Wadephul issued a strong warning to China regarding potential actions concerning Taiwan. He cautioned that any aggression would severely damage not only bilateral relations with China but also disrupt trade relations between Europe and a vast swathe of the Asian market. He underscored the potentially far-reaching consequences for the Chinese economy itself.