Germany wants to avoid China trade war despite EU ‘kill switch’: Merz

Preparing for war is meant to prevent war – an idea with deep roots in ancient Chinese strategic thought that may have just found an echo in Berlin. The EU’s proposed “kill switch”, intended to swiftly cut off market access for third countries including China, was put forward by France and Germany and unanimously endorsed by member states. But ideally it would never have to be used, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, stressing that Berlin was seeking “a new balance in trade”...