# Germany shifts toward tougher EU trade defenses as pressure from Chinese competition grows

> Noah Barkin, a senior adviser with research consultancy Rhodium Group's China practice, told DW that the threats to Germany's export powerhouse "have convinced Merz and his closest advisers that the benefits of action outweigh the costs of inaction."

- Published: 2026-10-13T09:01:56.766Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T13:05:00.941Z
- 3 sources
- Topics: Economy, business and finance, Politics, Science and technology
- Involves: Andreas Mischer, Berechnung, dass die EU für China ein wichtigerer Exportmarkt ist als die USA, Björn Seibert, Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, China's commerce ministry, Chinas Handelsministerium, Destatis (Statistisches Bundesamt), Donald Trump, EU, Emmanuel Macron, Europe

## How it developed

- 2026-10-13T09:01:56.766Z - DW Top Stories: [Germany shifts toward tougher EU trade defenses as pressure from Chinese competition grows](https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-china-calculation-shifts-as-import-pressures-eclipse-export-benefits/a-79571852?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf)
- 2026-10-13T11:30:53.797Z - DW German: [Warum Berlin eine strengere EU-Handelspolitik gegen China unterstützt](https://www.dw.com/de/deutschlands-china-strategie-ändert-sich-seit-der-chinesische-importdruck-die-vorteile-deutscher-exporte-nach-china-in-den-schatten-stellt/a-79644973?maca=de-rss-de-top-1016-rdf)
- 2026-10-13T13:05:00.941Z - Ara.cat: [Trump afronta una nova crisi amb Kíiv després de l’acord sobre el dièsel rus](https://www.ara.cat/internacional/estats-units/trump-afronta-nova-crisi-kiiv-despres-l-acord-diesel-rus_1_5877575.html)

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