Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, emphasized the need to create a global network of countries that adhere to the principles of free trade on the last day of his four-day trip to Asia. He made these remarks at the Asia-Pacific conference in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Challenges of the Global Supply Chain
Merz referred to the challenges arising from turning supply chains into political tools, stating: "When access to key technologies is blocked or efforts to secure raw materials become a display of power, this threatens the growth, prosperity, and security of regions." He also noted that this situation requires closer cooperation and fairer representation among countries.
The Chancellor of Germany had previously addressed this issue during his trips to Singapore and Japan, emphasizing that international cooperation in free trade is vital.
The Role of South Korea in German Trade
Han Seung-soo, the Prime Minister of South Korea, stated at the same conference that German companies are using Korea as a central hub to expand their presence in the Asia-Pacific region. This highlights the importance of South Korea as a strategic trading partner for Germany and other European countries.
Merz specifically pointed out that to tackle global challenges, countries need to come closer together and strive for free trade and economic cooperation. He stated that these collaborations could contribute to economic growth and security on a global scale.
Meanwhile, the issue of electing a new President of Germany has also become an urgent matter. Many are calling for the election of Germany's first female president, while Friedrich Merz has yet to make a clear statement on this matter.
Merz is concluding his four-day trip to Asia, while Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, is separately in China and is scheduled to meet with Xi Jinping, the President of China.
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