German businesses remain committed to long-term cooperation with China as the country remains the "only anchor of stability" amid the growing economic uncertainties around the world, according to the head of a German trade association.
Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA), has been leading a delegation of German automotive industry representatives on a visit to China.
During their trip, the group attended the 2025 China-Germany Automotive Innovation Cooperation Summit and the Innovation Cooperation Matchmaking Event in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin on Monday, as well as touring several automotive plants in the area.
In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing on Wednesday, Schumann said that the delegation's visit sends out a positive signal to the world about German companies' willingness to maintain cooperation with China despite various uncertainties.
"First and foremost, we want to send a signal. Coming in times of uncertainty, coming in times of challenge, we want to show that we have companies in Germany that are committed to long-term cooperation, that are committed to friendly relations with China, that see the opportunities here," he said.
Regarding the EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Schumann noted that the German automotive industry widely opposes such "punitive" measures, which he believes could potentially diminish the global competitiveness of European companies in the long term.
"It may give some relief to companies, short term relief, yes, maybe, but it will create long-term strategic risks. The EU, Brussels, argued it should protect the European automotive industry. Well, the strongest players are in Germany, and they were opposed to it. The thing is, strength is based on competition as much as on collaboration. If we open the markets to Chinese electric vehicles, yes, it will increase the pressure on our automotive industry, but they welcome it," he said.
Schumann also lamented how the current international trading landscape has been "weaponized" and is facing continuous disruption by the unpredictable tariff actions taken by the Trump administration, and said there is an urgent demand for stability among the business world.
He believes that China stands out as one of the few "anchors of stability" on the current international stage and called on all countries to intensify their efforts in promoting a rules-based multilateral order.
"What we're witnessing at the moment, I think it's a very dangerous development where trade relations have not only been weaponized, but also where you see the breakdown of stable rules and regulations. And you hear about trade deals. The EU and the U.S. just announced a trade agreement. Is that really an agreement? Is that something that you can count on? I mean, with what we've seen in recent weeks and months is that these so-called agreements, they are not stable," he said.
"Even if you come to some sort of deal, no one can guarantee that the bill is still valid tomorrow or the day after and might not be changed. And that is very bad for business. That is very bad for peaceful coexistence because you need stability -- companies, investors, capital needs stability. And to be honest, quite frankly, right now, I think China is the only anchor of stability that you see in the international environment," he continued.
China 'only anchor of stability' amid global economic uncertainties: German trade official
