Germany Urges EU to Strengthen Global Trade Leadership Amid Rising Protectionism

Seoul — Germany Urges EU to Strengthen Global Trade Leadership Amid Rising Protectionism

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a more prominent European role in international commerce, saying the European Union should help create new trading opportunities as the established global economic system faces mounting challenges.

Addressing the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul on Friday, Merz said Europe should provide countries with broader alternatives rather than relying exclusively on individual bilateral trade arrangements.

He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to working with European and international partners to protect and reinforce the rules-based global economic system.

Merz stressed that international trade remains essential to economic prosperity, pointing out that numerous countries have gained substantially from global commerce and have little interest in abandoning it.

His remarks came during a week-long diplomatic and economic visit to Asia, which included stops in Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

While in Seoul, Merz held talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday. Both leaders agreed to establish an enhanced security partnership, reflecting their shared interest in expanding bilateral cooperation.

Germany is also seeking to strengthen its economic and defense ties with countries that share its concerns about increasing tensions in international trade.

US tariffs and China’s state-supported industrial expansion are among the developments creating challenges for established European industries and influencing these discussions.

Merz identified similarities between Germany’s and South Korea’s industrial structures as a potential foundation for closer economic collaboration.

Separately, South Korea’s Industry Ministry announced that companies and organizations from the two countries had signed nine memoranda of understanding.

The agreements aim to encourage startup development and expand access to markets across several sectors, including electricity, energy and biohealth.

These initiatives reflect broader European efforts to diversify commercial partnerships beyond traditional trading relationships while adapting to shifting conditions in the global economy.

Stronger economic engagement with South Korea and other Asian countries could give Germany additional opportunities to support industrial development, attract investment and expand access to international markets.

Merz’s appeal also underscores the European Union’s determination to preserve an open international trading environment while addressing protectionist measures and intensifying competition among major global economies.