China’s play for U.S. allies has a problem: As Germany’s leader showed, Europe’s grievances with Beijing may run deeper than its frustration with Trump. China’s leader, Xi Jinping, tried to sell Germany on a future less tied to the United States and anchored instead in Chinese markets and technology.

China and Germany have pledged to deepen ties despite differences over Russia’s war in Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday in Beijing.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is currently visiting China, shares two posts on Instagram on February 26, 2026. This image, the cover of one post, shows him waving to a rob

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip will test his ability to address tensions between the countries, at a time of strain between Europe and Washington.

Friedrich Merz continued his first trip to China since taking office as the German Chancellor with a tour Thursday in the historical Forbidden City at the center of Beijing.

By Andreas Rinke STUTTGART, Germany, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed on Friday not to let the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party "ruin" Germany and told his fellow conservatives to prepare for a raw new climate of great-power competition.