China snubs German Foreign Minister as trade tensions deepen

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has been forced to cancel a planned trip to Beijing after Chinese officials reportedly refused to arrange key meetings, signalling fresh diplomatic friction between the two nations.

Wadephul was due to fly to China on Sunday for talks expected to focus on export restrictions involving rare-earth elements and semiconductors, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Berlin’s Foreign Office confirmed the visit was being “postponed” after Beijing declined to schedule high-level engagements beyond a proposed meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The pair are now expected to speak by phone instead.

The diplomatic snub comes amid escalating trade tensions between China and the European Union. Brussels has accused Beijing of industrial overproduction and market distortion, while China has accused the EU of unfair protectionism. The standoff intensified earlier this month after Beijing tightened export controls on key minerals used in advanced technology and military applications—further straining Europe’s already struggling automotive industry.

Germany, whose manufacturing giants rely heavily on Chinese components, has been hit particularly hard. Volkswagen is reportedly preparing to halt production at several plants due to a semiconductor shortage triggered by the Dutch government’s seizure of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia over security concerns. In response, Beijing banned exports of Nexperia chips to Europe. On Friday, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche announced that Berlin had formally protested China’s semiconductor blockade, warning that the disruption could deepen the continent’s industrial crisis.