According to Reuters, German investments in China between January and November last year amount to over EUR 7 billion (over PLN 29 billion)which is an increase of 55.5%. compared to investments of EUR 4.5 billion (nearly PLN 19 billion) in 2023-2024.
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China is strengthening the “global presence” of its companies
As a result of Donald Trump's aggressive policy, including, among others, high tariffs on imports from the European Union, Germany turned its attention to the Chinese market as an alternative to the American market. This does not mean that previously China was not an important economic partner for Germany, but now cooperation has definitely intensified.
— German companies continue to expand their operations in China at an accelerated pace – Juergen Matthes, head of international economic policy at the IW Institute, said in an interview with Reuters. He added that this change is the result not only of Trump's economic decisions, but also of concerns about geopolitical conflicts involving the US.
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In 2024, the United States was Germany's largest trading partner, overtaking China. Now the situation is reverse. German investors in China include such powerhouses as Volkswagen, BASF, Mercedes-Benz and Infineon.
A Volkswagen spokesman told Reuters that both the Chinese and US markets are of great strategic importance and investments are made “independently of each other” in line with local strategy. He also emphasized that products manufactured in China are now more widely used, including: in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and Africa. Thanks to this, he said, “China is thereby helping to further strengthen the Group's global presence and competitiveness.”
