German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced his intention to build strategic cooperation with China during his visit next week. According to him, Berlin needs to strengthen ties with global partners amid the US's increasingly protectionist tariff policy.

Speaking at a party event in Passau, Merz stressed that Germany is interested in cooperating with countries that share a similar view of economic development and international cooperation. Maintaining competitiveness and social stability requires a new configuration of partnerships.

The chancellor noted that in today's reality, economic and foreign policy are effectively linked. Commenting on US President Donald Trump's approach, he said that Berlin does not intend to follow the logic of prioritizing tariffs over domestic tax policy.

According to him, if pressure from Washington intensifies, the European Union has a sufficient level of consolidation to protect its own interests. He also recalled the recent episode surrounding Greenland as an example of European solidarity.

Merz described Germany's strategy as a combination of openness to dialogue and willingness to cooperate, while strengthening the EU's internal unity to counter unwanted external actions.