Global economy • Table.Briefings

Katherina Reiche, Bundesministerin für Wirtschaft und Energie, CDU, Pressestatement zur aktuellen Lage, DEU, Berlin, 30.03.2026

April 22nd, 2026

Economy ministry: Katherina Reiche plans China visit

Katherina Reiche is planning her first trip to China as Germany’s economy minister. The visit would come at a sensitive moment.

By Manuel Liu

A large number of Volkswagen pure electric vehicles are arranged in an orderly manner waiting to be shipped overseas in Longtan Port Area, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China on December 4, 2025.

Talk of the Town | Economy

April 16th, 2026

GDP growth: What clouds the upbeat numbers

China’s economy grew more strongly than expected in the first quarter despite the fallout from the Iran war. But weaker export and consumption data for March show that headwinds are building.

By Jörn Petring and Manuel Liu

Feature | China

April 2nd, 2026

Schneider in China: Market analyst recommends investing in “winners from China”

Following visits to China by Chancellor Merz and Environment Minister Schneider, a Chinese expert is advising investors to focus on Chinese green-tech leaders. Germany must find new ways to deal with China’s technological dominance.

By Leonardo Pape and Nico Beckert

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is projected on a screen in a live broadcast of his speech during the China Development Forum in Beijing

Feature | Global economy

March 23rd, 2026

China Development Forum: How Beijing is turning its Five-Year Plan into a blueprint for the global economy

Beijing wants to position itself as a stable trading partner. The message: CEOs can take inspiration from the 15th Five-Year Plan.

By Manuel Liu

News | Society

March 10th, 2026

Wealth: Stock markets and AI are churning out billionaires

China once again has more billionaires than the US. Stock market gains and the AI boom are the main drivers behind a massive increase in the number of super-rich individuals.

By Angela Köckritz

News | Customs duties

February 22nd, 2026

Asia: Wait-and-see stance after suspension of US tariffs

Reactions from Asia to Trump’s new tariff announcements reflect uncertainty and confusion. The Indian government postponed a delegation trip to Washington that had been planned for this week.

By Ning Wang

Interview | Diplomacy

February 15th, 2026

Wang Huiyao: “It’s no longer about ‘China versus the West’”

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Chinese analyst Wang Huiyao explains what China hopes to gain from the German chancellor’s visit to China – and how Chinese factories could soon be operating around the world.

By Angela Köckritz

Talk of the Town | Exports

February 11th, 2026

End of the export boom: How Europe wants to become more competitive

A new study by the German Economic Institute shows: Fewer and fewer jobs are dependent on business with China. How Europe can become more competitive is also on the agenda of the EU institutions this week.

By Julia Fiedler, Marcel Grzanna and Amelie Richter

Opinion | Global economy

February 10th, 2026

Tariffs: Why Trump doesn't understand "game theory"

Tariffs are supposed to enforce advantages, but in terms of game theory, they often lead to both sides losing in the end. Trump's strategy towards China triggers a classic “prisoner's dilemma” that damages the global economy and undermines rules such as those of the WTO.

By Koichi Hamada

News | Global economy

January 20th, 2026

Trade balance: He Lifeng calls surplus an “operational accident”

At the World Economic Forum, China’s vice premier appealed to the fairness of China’s trading partners. He also warned that Chinese interests should not be harmed by others’ free-trade deals.

By Marcel Grzanna