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Goods handling in Leipzig freight station: debate at the wrong time
Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa
The various China concepts within the traffic light federal government are met with a lack of understanding in the economy.
"The economy is very upset about this multi-pronged communication in the China strategy given the importance that China has for our economy," said Volker Treier, head of foreign trade at the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
The trigger is a report by the news portal "Pioneer" about a China paper by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which talks about new requirements for companies doing business in China.
"Rumors about a significant expansion and deepening of the reporting obligations for medium-sized companies that are active in China are poison for stable business relationships and planning security," criticized Treier.
In view of the currently enormous challenges in international business, this type of debate comes at an inopportune time.
The Foreign Ministry – also led by the Greens – had presented its own, very critical China concept.
So far there has been no agreement in the government on a joint approach.
In government circles there is talk of competition between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economics Minister Robert Habeck, who are said to have ambitions for a chancellor candidacy for the Greens in 2025.
When the Chinese state shipping company Cosco entered an operating company at a terminal in the port of Hamburg, there were also recent differences between the Chancellery and the Green and FDP-led departments.
mike/Reuters
