Recently, regarding Huawei 5G, Hong Kong-related issues, etc., the United States has tried every means to win over other countries to jointly deal with China. Some countries have begun to be unable to withstand the pressure of the United States. But U.S. pressure has not been so smooth on Germany's side. As the country with the most influence in the EU, Germany's attitude towards China on many issues such as Hong Kong and Huawei's 5G is significantly different from that of the United States.
German Economy Minister: Cooperation with China brings more stability and less conflict
According to a report by the Politico website of the US political news network on July 15, Norbert Ruetgen, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Federal Parliament, said that day that sanctions against China will not be useful, and may only further escalate the situation.
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on the 15th that considering the possible economic consequences, Germany has refused to implement "severe measures" against China. Earlier, he also said in an interview with "Russia Today" that Germany would not interfere with China on Hong Kong-related issues.
Altmaier stressed that it is important to maintain friendly relations with China, and that confrontation brings risks. Since 2016, China has replaced the United States as Germany's largest trading partner; in 2019, Germany exported goods worth 96 billion euros (about 767 billion yuan) to China. "Friendship, cooperation and trade between great powers remain important because they lead to more stability and less conflict," he said.
In an interview with Politico, Altmaier said that Germany is eager to further deepen economic and trade relations with China, which is in the interests of both countries.
German Defense Minister Karen Bauer also said at an online defense forum hosted by the European Union that when facing China, "the tough attitude is just (to make them) feel good about themselves, and this attitude usually hinders every contact. Attenuate every possible impact."
The 5G issue refuses to "stand in line" Germany's attitude towards China is significantly different from that of the United States
It is worth noting that recently, the traditional alliance between Germany and the United States is quietly changing. Germany is the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of this year. Except for Hong Kong-related issues, Germany's attitude towards China around Huawei 5G and many other issues is not the same as the US's response.
Britain's announcement that it will ban Huawei equipment when building 5G networks has caused an uproar. Soon after, US President Trump voluntarily admitted at a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House that he persuaded countries such as the UK to block Huawei, and that if they cooperate with Huawei, it will "affect their relationship with the United States." Regarding this issue, Germany said that it does not want to refuse to cooperate with any facility supplier or any country at present.
Earlier, Altmaier said in an interview with the media that the construction of Germany's 5G network will not exclude Huawei. He stressed that a device may not be excluded unless there is conclusive evidence of a national security threat. According to German media reports, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly stated that she will not exclude specific companies from 5G construction.
In terms of epidemic response, Germany expressed dissatisfaction with the passive performance of the US federal government in fighting the epidemic. A few days ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech at the European Parliament: "As we have experienced first-hand, you cannot fight the epidemic with lies and false information, just as you cannot fight the epidemic with hatred or incitement to hatred." Duan Dialogue was interpreted by many American media as "criticizing the United States without naming names".
