German leaders plan separate trips to Asia
Chancellor Merz seeks economic and security partners, while President Steinmeier travels to China.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have planned separate trips around Asia. Merz will visit Singapore, Japan and South Korea; Steinmeier will travel to China for talks with President Xi Jinping.
According to the German government, the trips were prepared independently of each other, but coordinated in terms of their content. Berlin wants to highlight different elements of its Asia policy, the German government says: Merz is focusing on cooperation with countries Germany sees as partners in open trade and security, while Steinmeier maintains dialogue with China.
Merz will travel first to Singapore and then to Japan and South Korea. A senior German business delegation will accompany him. According to the German government, economic agreements, investment, innovation, artificial intelligence, supply chains and security are on the agenda.
The timing reflects changing international relations. Germany is trying to broaden its economic and strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific, while remaining dependent on trade with China. The government cites supply-chain resilience and rules-based trade as important objectives.
According to Anadolu Agency, Steinmeier will begin a five-day state visit to China on Tuesday. The news agency says he will meet, among others, Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. He will also visit Anhui province, according to the agency. Anadolu Agency says this is the first visit to China by a German president since 2018.
The Chinese government presents the visit as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust and cooperation. According to EFE, the German president's office sees the trip as part of a broader analysis of the political, trade and economic relationship between Germany, Europe and China. That does not automatically mean that the two countries agree on security or trade issues.
Germany's approach may also be important for the Netherlands and the European Union. The outcomes could affect European debates on economic security, cooperation with Asian democracies and how to deal with China. Concrete agreements may be announced during the trips; announced visits and plans may also still change.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The German chancellor and president are travelling separately to Asia this week.
- Merz will visit Singapore, Japan and South Korea; Steinmeier will visit China.
- The German government cites economic, technological and security cooperation as objectives.
- The concrete results of the trips were not yet known.
Left
Arguments Germany should reduce its economic dependencies without making new power blocs and militarisation central. Cooperation with Asian countries should also focus on human rights, climate and fair trading conditions.
Values International cooperation, human rights, social and environmental sustainability.
Consequences An excessive emphasis on security and competition could increase tensions with China and push other global problems into the background.
Centre
Arguments Germany needs both reliable partners in the Indo-Pacific and a workable relationship with China. Diversifying trade and diplomatic dialogue can coexist.
Values Stability, predictability, European coordination and institutional diplomacy.
Consequences A balanced approach could limit economic risks, but requires clear European agreements and may produce results slowly.
Right
Arguments Germany should quickly reduce its strategic dependence on China and work more closely with countries that share its security and technology interests. Economic resilience also requires a stronger defence policy.
Values National security, economic independence, order and competitiveness.
Consequences An approach focused more strongly on partners could strengthen Germany's negotiating position, but could put export interests and relations with China under pressure.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The article's core is confirmed by the German government and two independent news sources. The precise outcomes of the announced trips were still uncertain and have been described as such.
- confirmed Merz will visit Singapore, Japan and South Korea. — The German government names the trip to these three countries; EFE describes the same route. source
- confirmed Steinmeier will travel to China for five days and meet, among others, Xi Jinping. — Anadolu Agency cites the duration and the planned talks. source
- confirmed A German business delegation will accompany Merz. — The German government spokesperson confirmed a senior economic delegation. source
- confirmed The trips were prepared independently but coordinated in terms of their content. — This was explicitly stated during the German government's press conference. source
- confirmed Steinmeier is visiting China as the first German president since 2018. — Anadolu Agency reports that his previous visit was in 2018. source
Editor's note
It is certain that both trips begin this week and that the German government cites economic, technological and security cooperation. The precise agreements and any results were not yet known at the time of publication; the Chinese interpretation comes from the Chinese government.Sources
- Regierungspressekonferenz vom 23. Oktober 2026 — Bundesregierung
- German president to visit China, chancellor to visit Japan next week — Anadolu Agency
- Merz y Steinmeier viajan a Asia para potenciar nuevas alianzas sin desatender a China — EFE via Infobae
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „duitsland azië”
- Trouw — „duitsland azië”
- NRC — „duitsland azië”