Chancellor Merz Leads Diplomatic Tour to Asia

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a five-day diplomatic and business tour of Asia on October 26, visiting Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Accompanied by 30 senior business leaders from the tech, defense, and energy sectors, Merz aims to protect global supply chains and reduce critical, one-sided dependencies, specifically regarding access to rare earths and cooperation on artificial intelligence.

In Singapore, Merz is conducting his first official visit from October 27 to 28. He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attend a lunch hosted by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Merz will also deliver the 49th Singapore Lecture, titled "Germany and the Indo-Pacific: Partnership, competitiveness, and resilience in a changing world."

The tour continues with meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss a rules-based order and a free and open Indo-Pacific, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. In South Korea, Merz may address European concerns regarding Seoul's outreach to Russia and North Korea before concluding his trip with a visit to the Demilitarised Zone.

Simultaneously, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is conducting a state visit to China from October 27 to 31. Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji to boost economic and security relationships.