00:00German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will seek strategic partnerships with China during a visit next week
00:06as rising U.S. tariff pressure strains transatlantic relations.
00:11Addressing his party's Ash Wednesday event, Merz says Germany has a clear strategic interest
00:17in building partnerships with countries that share its values and are prepared to help shape the future.
00:26He described such cooperation as vital to protecting national prosperity and sustaining the country's social security system.
00:34While acknowledging that Washington is entitled to use tariffs as a policy instrument,
00:38he made clear that trade barriers are not part of Germany's approach.
00:44U.S. President Donald Trump recently used the threat of tariffs against European allies
00:49as part of his push to secure greater American control over Greenland.
00:54However, Trump later pulled back from the tariff threat,
00:57saying discussions were underway and indicating he would not pursue false or immediate trade action.
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