Germany’s leading economic voices are raising concerns over increasing competition from China, with one estimate suggesting 400,000 jobs have been lost in the German economy over the past five years. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is advocating for stronger European defenses against what he describes as unfair trade practices. Experts warn that China is directly supplanting traditional German manufacturing with significantly lower-priced goods. Economists are advising the German government to adopt a more assertive approach towards Beijing to prevent further industrial decline. The issue is expected to be a central topic at the upcoming EU summit, as Germany’s position will likely influence the broader European strategy. A firmer stance is being considered within the EU to address the challenges posed by Chinese economic influence.