CEO Talk with Rudolf Scharping + Chemistry for Chips

The reality of the economic centers in mainland China does not match the image that the trade war, sanctions, and justified criticism of human rights violations suggest: This is what Rudolf Scharping tells us in our latest CEO Talk with Frank Sieren. German companies operating in China continue to expect very good business proceedings in the growth market. Scharping knows the situation in China especially well: Despite the pandemic, he spends a lot of time in the People’s Republic, where he runs a management consultancy and is therefore well connected. He sees both international relations and life and business in China with refreshing optimism.

Manufacturing companies currently perceive the availability of supplier parts and cheap raw materials as a real obstacle to their business. Christiane Kühl reports on an initiative at the junction of these two problems: China wants to become independent of chemical imports for their semiconductor productions. Many of the substances needed to manufacture chips are imported from the USA, Japan or Europe. Their strive for more independence in this regard is understandable. But news of this kind continues to confirm the growing trend of decoupling economies. In other words, it is exactly what Scharping warns against in our interview.

I wish you a pleasant and productive week!

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Finn Mayer-Kuckuk