The Globalist Merz in Beijing and Trump's State of the Union address
Feb 25, 2026
Juliet Linley, veteran Vatican correspondent covering papal moves, relics and St Peter’s refurbishments. Terry Stiastny, political reporter and media analyst dissecting Trump’s State of the Union and press reactions. They discuss Merz’s China visit and Germany–China ties, rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, Canada’s aid to Cuba, Etihad’s turnaround, and headline-grabbing cultural and political stories.
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Germany Faces A Second China Shock
- Germany's industrial rivalry with China has shifted from cheap goods to high-value competition, threatening sectors like cars, chemicals and heat pumps.
- Florian Egli notes a "second China shock" where China's upgrade up the value chain now directly challenges German exporters.
Beijing Wants An Open European Door
- China seeks to keep Europe open for trade and diplomacy rather than force alignment away from the US.
- David Schlesinger says visits from Macron, Starmer and Merz aim to secure market access and blunt stricter EU rules on AI and EVs.
Germany Alone Can't Resolve China Security Issues
- Germany lacks leverage over China on security issues; a united EU approach is required for meaningful dialogue.
- Florian Egli argues only an EU-led delegation with a clear mandate could address Taiwan or other security frictions effectively.