Germany weighs China’s role on the global stage amid renewed EU strategy
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described China as a rival and a systemic challenge in an interview with El País. She emphasized a balanced approach: engagement remains unavoidable in a globalized world, but naivety must be avoided.
Baerbock stressed that China acts not only as Europe’s rival and partner, but also as a systemic rival with the potential to shape global rules and economies. She urged the European Union to adopt a more proactive geopolitical posture as it navigates competition with Beijing.
Her remarks trace a shift in European thinking. For years, Europe clung to a belief in an ideal global order where issues in other regions would rarely disrupt European life. That belief, she argued, created a vacuum that Beijing seized, expanding influence by fostering economic dependencies across sectors and markets.
She cautioned that Europe has not done enough to counter this dynamic, calling for a clearer and more assertive strategy in trade, security, and diplomacy that reflects the realities of a multipolar world.
In a related assessment, former German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suggested Berlin would bolster military support to Kyiv if China were to supply arms to Russia. He noted that in such a scenario, China’s role as a potential peace broker or an influencer over Russia would be challenged, altering the strategic calculus in the region.
The exchange highlights a broader EU debate on how to manage relations with China. Observers say the bloc must balance economic interests with security concerns, invest in resilience, and strengthen alliances inside and beyond Europe while keeping channels open for dialogue. The conversation continues to unfold as European policymakers assess Beijing’s long-term ambitions, technological leadership, and global influence, all within a framework meant to protect European values and interests. (Source: El País)