Recently, with regard to Huawei 5g and Hong Kong related issues, the United States has tried every possible means to engage other countries to deal with China. Some countries began to be unable to withstand the pressure of the United States, interfered in Hong Kong affairs in a row, and "punished" Chinese enterprises with high sounding reasons. However, the pressure of the United States on Germany is not so smooth. As the most influential country in the European Union, Germany's attitude towards China is obviously different from that of the United States on many issues such as Hong Kong and Huawei 5g.
German economic minister: cooperation with China can bring more stability and less conflict.
According to the US political news network politico's website on July 15, Norbert lutegen, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Federal Parliament, said on the same day that sanctions against China would not be useful, but could only further escalate the situation.
German Economic Minister Peter altmaier said in an interview with the Frankfurt report on the 15th that Germany refused to implement "more severe measures" against China in view of the possible economic consequences. Earlier, in an interview with Russia today, he also said that Germany would not interfere with China on Hong Kong related issues.
Altmair stressed that it is important to maintain friendly relations with China, while confrontation will bring risks. Since 2016, China has replaced the United States as Germany's largest trading partner; in 2019, Germany exported 96 billion euro (about 767 billion yuan) worth of goods to China. "Friendly relations, cooperation and trade between the great powers remain important because they bring more stability and less conflict," he said
In an interview with politico on the 15th, altmeer said that Germany is eager to further deepen its economic and trade relations with China, which is in the interests of the two countries.
German defense minister Karenbauer also said at an online defense forum held by the European Union on the 9th that "a tough attitude is just (to make them) feel good about themselves" when facing China. This attitude usually hinders every contact and weakens every possible influence. "
Germany's attitude toward China is obviously different from that of the United States.
It is worth noting that the traditional alliance between Germany and the United States is quietly changing recently. Germany is the rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year. In addition to the Hong Kong related issues, Germany's attitude towards China on Huawei 5g and many other issues is not the same as that of the United States.
On the 14th, the UK announced that Huawei equipment would be banned in the construction of 5g network, causing a storm. Shortly afterwards, US President trump admitted at a press conference held in the rose garden of the White House that he had persuaded Britain and other countries to ban Huawei. If they cooperated with Huawei, it would "affect relations with the United States.".
On this issue, Germany said it did not want to refuse to cooperate with any facility supplier or any country at present.
Earlier, altmaier said in an interview with the media on the 11th that Huawei would not be excluded from the construction of 5g network in Germany. He stressed that unless there is solid evidence that there is a national security threat, it is possible to exclude certain equipment.
According to German media reports, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly stated that she will not exclude specific enterprises from the construction of 5g.
In response to the epidemic situation, Germany is dissatisfied with the negative performance of the United States federal government in the fight against the epidemic. A few days ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech at the European Parliament: "as we have experienced, you can't fight the epidemic with lies and false information, just as you can't fight the epidemic with hatred or inciting hatred." This dialogue has been interpreted by many American media as "criticizing the United States without naming".
