Verpasste Chance für die Diplomatie: Warum der deutsche Außenminister hätte reisen müssen Verpasste Chance für die Diplomatie: Warum der deutsche Außenminister hätte reisen müssen

In his latest commentary, Maximilian Mayer argues that the last-minute cancellation of Johann Wadephul's planned trip to China is a symptom of a deeper strategic disorientation in Germany's China policy. At a time of global uncertainty, such a visit would have provided an opportunity to rebuild lost trust and to advance Germany's strategic interests. Instead, Berlin's reactive and distrust-driven approach has narrowed both its diplomatic and economic room for maneuver. The article emphasizes that a forward-looking China policy requires sustained dialogue, diplomatic presence and "strategic empathy".