Johann Wadephul, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussed Europe’s continued partnership with the United States on February 15 (local time), stressing that ties between the two are stronger than those with China.
He said this during an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, which took place from February 13 to February 15. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously assured that Washington has no plans to abandon its deep alliance with Europe.
Rubio said: “We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive because the two great wars of the last century serve as a great reminder to us in history that our destiny is and always will be intertwined with yours.”
Wadephul’s comments come as reports suggest several countries are slowly pivoting toward Beijing as they lose confidence in Washington following the imposition of tariffs on “Liberation Day” announced by US President Donald Trump’s administration in 2025.
Read also | Trump’s trade policy forces German companies to increase investment in China
A report by the South China Morning Post recently highlighted how German companies are slowly moving away from Washington and increasing investment in Beijing. Citing an executive at the German Chamber of Commerce, the report said the Trump administration had discouraged German businesses from expanding in the U.S. because of tariffs. The official went on to say that the Trump administration’s stance on immigration policy and its latest plans to acquire Greenland have also given German companies plenty of reason to look outside of Washington.
German investment in China has reached a four-year high
According to a Reuters report, investment by German companies in China will reach a record four-year high in 2025. Citing data from the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, the report showed that Munich’s investment in Beijing exceeded 7 billion euros ($8 billion) between January and November last year. This represented a 55.5% increase from the €4.5 billion recorded in 2024 and 2023.
At the same time, AFP reported that Munich’s exports to Washington fell to a four-year low in 2025 due to the imposed tariffs.
The German chancellor will visit China
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly set to visit China this month, his first visit since taking office. During the meeting, some key issues are likely to be discussed, such as strengthening the “open market environment” in order to create a “level playing field” for German companies. The discussion will also focus on improving the regulation of intellectual property rights, an official at the German Chamber of Commerce said. He further said, “Chinese companies are on par or pioneering innovation” compared to their German counterparts, but are open to cooperation in artificial intelligence, robotics and “smart” manufacturing.
Will American partners move out?
In addition to the tariffs, several European countries are divided over the policies announced by the Trump administration and its handling of several issues, including its latest plan to annex Greenland, an Arctic island that is an autonomous Danish territory.
Read also | 7 in 10 US adults disapprove of Trump’s handling of Greenland: Poll
Following his announcement, Europe criticized his plan and a joint statement was issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The statement said Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe, adding that European allies are stepping up.
Read also | AI picture of Donald Trump with a viral lone penguin in Greenland is being trolled
It followed similar tariff threats issued by Trump in the past, with several European countries sending small contingents to Greenland.
In addition, in the past few months, several Western leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have visited China and established relations with Beijing. The list also includes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is expected to travel to Beijing again later this year.