Editorial Trade 44

For a long time, China was the „cash cow“ of German companies. The automotive industry, the chemical industry and mechanical engineering benefited from the economic miracle in China in recent decades. The People’s Republic became the largest sales market for numerous companies. And for a long time, no one was as cheap as the Middle Kingdom when it came to raw materials and primary products. But with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany is becoming increasingly aware of its China dependencies. Globalization is on the verge of a realignment, experts say. For many companies, China is becoming increasingly unattractive. The country is not only decoupling because of Corona, but is also trying to produce its own economic champions to displace foreign companies. The German government is also working on a new China strategy. A turning point is on the horizon.