Steinmeier calls for fairer market access for Western companies in Beijing

The German president warned of the consequences of a persistent imbalance between Chinese exports and Western companies' access to the Chinese market. This creates a risk of one-sided vulnerability. The Europeans would not want this for their economies - "just as China does not want it for its economy".

Warning against one-sided dependence

His criticism therefore went beyond individual tariffs or trade measures. Steinmeier described a structural problem in which Chinese companies can access the European market comparatively cheaply, while Western firms encounter significant barriers in China.

Western companies' access to the Chinese market was highlighted in the speech as a central challenge. At the same time, Steinmeier pointed to the large volume of Chinese goods reaching Europe competitively through state subsidies.

Unequal access and subsidized exports

According to Steinmeier, this creates a risk for European economies of becoming one-sidedly dependent on Chinese exports. As he stated in his speech, the Europeans could not want such dependence economically.

The term one-sided vulnerability describes economic vulnerability. It arises when a market or economy depends on exports or access to an important sales market, while its own access to other markets remains limited.

The speech took place at Peking University. With this choice, Steinmeier linked his economic policy remarks to an academic setting and spoke in an environment associated with exchange and public discussion about the role of universities.

The available information does not indicate which specific policy measures Steinmeier proposed following the speech. What was clear was that he called on Europe's representatives to address the current access and export problems openly.

Europe in the focus of Chinese trade

The speech formed part of an international context in which China, Europe, Germany, Russia and Ukraine were discussed. However, the focus was on economic relations between China and Europe and the resulting risks for European economies.

Steinmeier's appearance made clear that the European debate on trade with China also encompasses questions of competitive equality and economic dependence. The German statesman explicitly characterized one-sided vulnerability as a risk that was not economically desired.