German Chancellor Merz visits China to discuss trade and pushes domestic economic changes

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Beijing for his first official visit, where he met with about 30 business managers and discussed trade relations with China. The talks focused on specific sticking points in the economic relationship between the two countries.

Back in Germany, Merz is pushing for a rapid pension reform that would include a stronger role for private retirement savings. He also expects the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries in South America to take effect provisionally soon.