Strategic Interdependence or Economic Rebalancing? The Future of Germany-China Economic Relations

Event Description

Germany’s relationship with China is entering a new phase, less visible but more consequential. What was once defined by deep economic interdependence and sustained political engagement is now being recalibrated through a more cautious and structured approach. In 2026, Berlin’s

strategy reflects a broader European shift away from high-profile diplomacy toward targeted, sector-specific engagement, increasingly shaped by concerns over industrial competition, supply chain resilience, and technological sovereignty.

This transformation is not unfolding through major summits, but through incremental policy adjustments, regulatory frameworks, and institutional coordination, often at the EU level. As a result, the substance of Germany–China relations is now negotiated less in public and more within the operational space where business interests, policy constraints, and geopolitical considerations intersect.

This session examines these dynamics from a practitioner’s perspective, focusing not on abstract theory but on how this shift is managed in practice. Drawing on his experience across business representation, policy advisory, and EU–China institutional engagement, Thomas König will provide insight into how Germany is operationalizing its China strategy in a more constrained environment, how the balance between economic opportunity and strategic risk is evolving, and how intermediary institutions such as DIHK are currently actively mediating between german firms and chinese policymakers.

About Thomas König

Thomas König is Head of the China Department at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Europe’s largest business association. He specializes in German–Chinese economic relations, advising on Germany’s China strategy and regularly engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and business communities. He has also testified before the German Bundestag as an expert on bilateral economic relations.

He brings extensive international experience across China and Europe, including roles at the European Chamber of Commerce in China and the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, where he worked closely with a large network of German companies operating in China. Earlier in his career, he was Asia Program Coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in London and Paris, and contributed to training programs for diplomats at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva.

He holds degrees from Yale University and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and completed part of his studies at Peking University. He is currently a visiting lecturer at the Technical University of Berlin.