German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said at an economic summit in Seoul that the European Union will play a pioneering role in strengthening international economic cooperation by increasing pressure on free trade and the rules-based trading system.
According to Reuters, Mertz emphasized that Germany is ready to work with like-minded partners to defend the global economic system and is trying to expand its trade and defense ties with Asian countries.
These comments come as concerns grow about rising US tariffs and the expansion of Chinese state-sponsored industries.
