Why Germany finds it so hard to handle China

Name: Why Germany finds it so hard to handle China
Uploaded: 2025-12-26T08:56:04.154Z
Duration: 46 min 46 s
Description: 2025 exposed Germany's dependence on China, as a source of rare earths and a market and production site for its industry. Berlin says it wants to "de-risk" the relationship. But is it serious? Or is it in too deep? Richard Walker sat down with experts Noah Barkin and Clifford Coonan to analyze Germany's options.

46:46

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Richard Walker

2025 exposed Germany's dependence on China, as a source of rare earths and a market and production site for its industry. Berlin says it wants to "de-risk" the relationship. But is it serious? Or is it in too deep? Richard Walker sat down with experts Noah Barkin and Clifford Coonan to analyze Germany's options.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro
01:08 Dependency diagnosis
03:48 A long story of growth
05:56 Raw materials
08:31 “Liberation Day”
13:41 Export controls
15:38 Rare earth “general licenses”
17:17 China's sluggish economy
19:34 A changing relationship
21:41 Chinese-built VW cars?
24:07 German deindustrialization
26:12 A German Donald Trump?
27:43 Less welcome guests
28:49 Detox-strategy
31:23 Words vs. actions
32:58 Can the EU help?
34:23 Merz' hands-off approach
36:38 The Taiwan contingency
42:36 India as a substitute?
45:10 Merz’ message to companies
46:02 Outro