EU bets Germany will back trade clampdown as ‘Chinese steamroller’ squeezes industry

May 21, 2026

Politico: Germany has for a long time been reluctant to jeopardize its trade ties with Beijing, fearing retaliation if it imposes restrictions, but the Commission is betting Chancellor Friedrich Merz will struggle to justify that stance in the face of sluggish growth, four European diplomats and officials with knowledge of the discussions in Brussels told POLITICO…