Merz’s remarks, which echoed what he said at the Munich Security Conference last weekend, came on Politischer Aschermittwoch (“Political Ash Wednesday”), a tradition at the end of Carnival, a February pre-Lenten celebration when party leaders traditionally deliver raucous speeches. Merz’s address, however, struck a more sober tone.
While criticizing Beijing for “aggressively expanding military outposts in the South China Sea,” the German chancellor said he would speak to Chinese leaders about future cooperation with Europe and Germany during his planned trip to China.
Amid a tariff war ignited last year by Trump’s second presidency, Germany and its hard-pressed auto companies are also being forced to negotiate with Beijing to address a deep structural decline in exports to China.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the key term is strategic partnerships,” Merz added.
Merz indicated he could seek a second term as chancellor. “I usually don’t talk much about my family life,” the 70-year-old leader said. “But my father just turned 102. So I intend to stick around for quite some time.”