After the German delegation’s visit to China, why did China only open imports of German beef, pork, and fruit products?

China and Germany likely reached certain economic agreements. Recently, China agreed to open imports of German beef and apples, and to facilitate pork imports. That’s about as far as it goes: granting these concessions is largely a gesture of goodwill following the visit—setting a positive example for other European countries and rewarding Germany appropriately, befitting a major power. Moreover, these products are already abundant domestically; Germany lacks strong competitiveness in these areas, so their importation poses no threat to domestic industry profits. Instead, it helps meet rising public demand for higher-quality goods—a win-win outcome. Naturally, don’t expect openings in high-tech sectors: Germany won’t export much advanced technology to China, given tight U.S. scrutiny—especially in semiconductors, where American vigilance borders on hostility. As for what China could offer in return, most of its leading-edge capabilities lie precisely in high-end fields—the very battleground of U.S.-China strategic competition. What China *can* export is often unnecessary for Germany, while German investment in China—spanning new-energy vehicles and advanced manufacturing—is already deeply entrenched. This latest round marks even deeper cooperation, especially after Germany learned hard lessons from being misled and harmed by U.S. policies over the past two years.

China has been Germany’s largest trading partner for seven consecutive years—what are the underlying reasons for this?

Essential reading for international trade professionals: Customs data reveals the top 100 HS codes for goods imported by China from Germany in July 2025.

China Willing to Import More German Goods, Premier Li Says

16 hours ago

Premier Li Qiang stated China's willingness to import more German goods, aiming to expand cooperation in chemicals and other sectors. The move seeks to strengthen trade ties amid rising protectionism between Beijing and Europe.

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China Willing to Import More German Goods, Premier Li Says

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