China has surpassed the United States to become Germany’s largest trading partner, according to newly released official figures, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares for his first official visit to Beijing since taking office.
Data published by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office on Sunday show that total trade between Germany and China reached €251 billion in 2025, up 2.2% from the previous year. German imports from China amounted to €170.6 billion, while exports to China stood at €81.3 billion.
By comparison, trade with the United States totaled €240 billion, marking a 5% decline that analysts partly attribute to tariffs introduced under US President Donald Trump.
Merz is due to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday and will meet Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping during the two-day visit. Talks are expected to cover trade, the war in Ukraine and human rights.....more below
The European Commission has announced plans to “strengthen” the borders of nine member states
The European Commission unveiled a strategy on Wednesday to reinforce nine EU member states bordering Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, by means of the ‘European Drone Defense Initiative’. Previously dubbed the ‘drone wall’, the plan has faced criticism over its feasibility.
Russia has repeatedly dismissed Western claims of being a threat to NATO or EU nations, calling the narrative “nonsense” and “fearmongering” meant to justify inflated military budgets.
Announced by the commission’s executive vice president, Raffaele Fitto, the plan includes Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Brussels says that these nations are facing reduced investment, demographic pressure, and “hybrid” threats linked to the Ukraine conflict.
The new strategy includes a €28 billion ($33 billion) loan program, as well as commitments to implement ...
Washington’s initiative seeks to secure a supply chain for AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals
India has joined the US-led Pax Silica alliance, which aims to secure a supply chain for artificial intelligence, chips, and critical minerals.
The Pax Silica declaration was signed on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit currently underway in New Delhi.
Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the UAE, and the UK are the other signatories of the declaration, according to the US State Department.
Canada, the European Union (EU), the Netherlands, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Taiwan are non-signatory participants.....more below
