Caught between the great powers

A worker preparing materials at a furniture factory in Jiaxing, China. German Chancellor Merz called on China to reduce subsidies for its domestic manufacturers, which he says unfairly affected competition. — Qilai Shen/The New York Times

LAST MONTH in Beijing, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Chinese trade policies that hurt German companies.

The next day, he visited the Beijing operations of an iconic German automaker, rode in its new luxury sedan and listened politely as its chief executive extolled innovation opportunities in China.