Trade and Investment

Research and Insights

Russia-China

US-China

China in 26: Diplomatic strength, economic weakness, investment increase

Podcast

May 22, 2026

Chinese investment rises to 7-year high - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2025 Update

Agatha Kratz

Andreas Mischer

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Armand Meyer

Report

May 20, 2026

A worker is producing an export order for photovoltaic equipment on a company's production line in Sihong County Economic Development Zone, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, China on February 24, 2026

China's economy in Q1: Economy rebounds as geopolitical fallout is yet to come

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Apr 24, 2026

View of the office building of the Nvidia research center is in Pudong, Shanghai

In taking H200 chips, Beijing balances self-reliance goals with AI growth

Wendy Chang

Comment

Mar 04, 2026

Vehicles are loading containers at Qingdao Port Foreign Trade Container Terminal in Shandong Province, China

Many countries launch new trade measures – but China’s exports just keep growing

Jacob Gunter

Claus Soong

Comment

Feb 19, 2026

A cargo ship is loading and unloading foreign trade containers at the Qingdao Port Automated Terminal in Shandong Province, China on January 14, 2026

China’s overcapacity threatens to reshuffle global industrial bases

Esther Goreichy

Jacob Gunter

Comment

Feb 10, 2026

A cargo ship loaded with foreign trade containers departed from Qingdao Port in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China on January 20, 2026.

China's economy in Q4: Strong exports offset domestic weaknesses

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Jan 23, 2026

Towards a conditioning of Chinese greenfield investments in the EU

Andreas Mischer

Comment

Dec 10, 2025

A sharp contrast between Xian village and skyscrapers around in Guangzhou city, south China's Guangdong province.

China in 2026

MERICS China Essentials

Nov 27, 2025

Trump's trade talks and Europe (Brussels Sprouts podcast)

Mikko Huotari

External publication

Nov 07, 2025

Interior of the SKYWORTH Y with a view of the large flat screen on the dashboard

Europe’s vehicle-data gap: How under-regulation gives Chinese carmakers an edge

Wendy Chang

Comment

Oct 29, 2025

China will continue its successful strategy “Made in China 2025”

Andreas Mischer

Comment

Aug 25, 2025

Chinese citizens look at home appliances. The Chinese government introduced trade-in programs on costlier household purchases like washing machines and fridges to lift consumption in Q2 2025.

Solid GDP growth in Q2 masks China’s challenges

Alexander Brown

Andreas Mischer

China Economic Indicators

Jul 23, 2025

Employees inspect wind turbine blades at a workshop of Shanghai Aeolon Wind Energy Technologies Development (Group) Co Ltd. on May 13, 2020 in Nantong, Jiangsu Province of China.

The EU sees early successes in using foreign subsidy regulation against Chinese companies

Andreas Mischer

Comment

Jun 11, 2025

Chinese FDI in Europe rebounds, with Armand Meyer and Andreas Mischer

Podcast

Jun 10, 2025

China in 25: AI chips, national security and Chinese investments in Europe

Podcast

May 23, 2025

Chinese investment rebounds despite growing frictions - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2024 Update

Agatha Kratz

Max J. Zenglein

Andreas Mischer

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Armand Meyer

Report

May 21, 2025

China’s overcapacities, with Max J. Zenglein and Jacob Gunter

Podcast

May 02, 2025

A billboard advertising U.S. beef at a supermarket in Beijing

China's economy improves as it braces for external shock

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

China Economic Indicators

Apr 25, 2025

The China-US trade war and implications for the EU, with Jacob Gunter

Podcast

Apr 24, 2025

US tariffs and the consequences for China (ZDFheute)

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Apr 10, 2025

Trucks line up to depart from a container terminal in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

MERICS China Essentials Special Issue: The US-China trade war

MERICS China Essentials

Apr 10, 2025

Aerial view of new cars waiting for transportation at the logistics center of CHANGAN Automobile in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality

Beyond overcapacity: Chinese-style modernization and the clash of economic models

Jacob Gunter

Alexander Brown

François Chimits

Antonia Hmaidi

Abigaël Vasselier

Max J. Zenglein

Report

Apr 01, 2025

A cargo ship loaded with foreign trade containers sails out of the port of Qingdao in Shandong province, China on March 18, 2025.

Staying united is the best way for the EU to reduce its trade vulnerabilities on China

François Chimits

Comment

Mar 19, 2025

China’s economy in 2025, with Max Zenglein

Podcast

Jan 23, 2025

argo ships load and unload containers in an orderly manner at the Dapukou Container Terminal in Jintang Port area of Zhoushan Port in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China, Jan 4, 2025.

China’s record trade surplus + Anti-corruption campaign + De-risking

MERICS China Essentials

Jan 16, 2025

Workers assemble cars at a Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd factory, a German joint venture company for Mercedes-Benz, in Beijing

German carmakers are placing a risky bet on China

Alexander Brown

Andreas Mischer

Comment

Dec 10, 2024

China is dominating exports, but lacking in global integration, with François Chimits

Podcast

Dec 06, 2024

Fighting local government debt, with Victor Shih and Max Zenglein

Podcast

Nov 29, 2024

Chinese people buy Thai durians at an international logistics center for agricultural products in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region

China’s surging overcapacities are pressuring many developing countries too

Jacob Gunter

Claus Soong

China Global Competition Tracker

Nov 27, 2024

New MERICS index: how internationally integrated is China's economy?

François Chimits

Report

Nov 21, 2024

China’s economy shows faint signs of stabilization over Q3

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Oct 23, 2024

Containers are seen at the Port of Nanjing in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China, Aug 6, 2024.

Growing asymmetry: Mapping the import dependencies in EU and US trade with China

François Chimits

Report

Oct 01, 2024

Economic momentum falters over Q2

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Jul 19, 2024

Ugandan and Chinese workers at an oil field in western Uganda

China’s guerrilla strategy in a fragmenting global economy

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Report

Jun 18, 2024

New MERICS & Rhodium Group report: Hungary emerges as main destination of Chinese investment in Europe

Press release

Jun 06, 2024

Online MERICS Event: Chinese investments in Europe hit decade low

Video

Jun 06, 2024

Dwindling investments become more concentrated - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2023 Update

Agatha Kratz

Max J. Zenglein

Alexander Brown

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Armand Meyer

Report

Jun 06, 2024

China steps up investments in Hungary, with Alexander Brown and Gregor Sebastian

Podcast

Jun 06, 2024

Ships carry out container loading and unloading operations at the Dapukou container Terminal at Zhoushan Port, Zhejiang province, China, April 9, 2024.

Toward South Korean-German cooperation in economic security

Max J. Zenglein

Comment

Apr 26, 2024

German China policy must be self-confident (Tagesspiegel)

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Apr 11, 2024

Reviewing the Sino-German economic relationship (Public hearing, German Bundestag)

Mikko Huotari

External publication

Apr 10, 2024

Passengers travel from Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China, Feb 14, 2024.

Economic insecurity + Xinjiang + Wang Yi in Europe

MERICS China Essentials

Feb 15, 2024

An aerial photo shows a container ship loaded with containers leaving the wharf at Yangshan Deep Water Port Area of Shanghai Port in Shanghai, China, Sept 11, 2022.

Economic drivers of diversification

Aya Adachi

Comment

Jan 17, 2024

Cargoes and transport long vehicles are seen at a port in Keelung.

Increasing economic pressure on Taiwan is risky business for China

Max J. Zenglein

Comment

Dec 13, 2023

Beijing is not returning to its reform agenda (The Wire China)

Jacob Gunter

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Dec 03, 2023

230810_Essentials_Headerbild_Economy_388471418

Sputtering economy + Floods around Beijing + End of Italy's BRI pact

MERICS China Essentials

Aug 10, 2023

China’s FDI in Europe (The Diplomat)

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Jun 26, 2023

Germany can ignore anxious CEOs while setting China policy (Nikkei Asia)

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Jun 01, 2023

Chinese investment in Europe hits decade low, with Agatha Kratz and Gregor Sebastian

Podcast

May 12, 2023

Report by MERICS and Rhodium Group: Battery investments are now the mainstay of Chinese FDI in Europe

Press release

May 09, 2023

EV battery investments cushion drop to decade low: Chinese FDI in Europe 2022 Update

Agatha Kratz

Max J. Zenglein

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Mark Witzke

Report

May 09, 2023

A mobile phone displays a E-CNY currency interface in Yichang, Hubei Province, Feb 9, 2022.

The e-CNY will not help the yuan displace the dollar any time soon

François Chimits

Comment

May 05, 2023

Residents buy drinks at a vending machine by scanning the code of a digital RMB wallet. at Nanjing East Road subway station in Shanghai, China, Feb. 24, 2021.

The digital yuan struggles to find Chinese shoppers willing to spend it

Kai von Carnap

Comment

May 05, 2023

Profits of German investors in China – an empirical survey

Max J. Zenglein

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Report

Apr 20, 2023

China's economy in 2023, with Max J. Zenglein

Podcast

Feb 03, 2023

Consumption During The Spring Festival Holiday

Light at the end of the tunnel after a weak Q4

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Jan 26, 2023

Transatlantic approaches to outbound investment screening (CSIS)

Francesca Ghiretti

External publication

Jan 17, 2023

German government stops sale of chip factory to Chinese-owned buyer

Antonia Hmaidi

Press release

Nov 10, 2022

On the stage from left, the Chinese ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou, Chairman of the Japan Business Federation Masakazu Tokura, former Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Head of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic party's politician Toshihiro Nikai and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi toast during a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Japan-China diplomatic relations Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Tokyo.

Japan’s Chinese lesson – diversifying only production is not enough

Aya Adachi

Koki Shigenoi

Comment

Nov 07, 2022

Hong Kong Hang Seng Index dives below 17,000 points

Economy improves in Q3 but faces mounting risks

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Oct 31, 2022

221007_Shortanalysis_Food_AA_FG_221336537

“With a little help from my friends”: China turns to Africa to bolster food security

Aya Adachi

Francesca Ghiretti

Comment

Oct 07, 2022

How China utilizes economic pressure, with Aya Adachi and Alexander Brown

Podcast

Sep 23, 2022

China: Hope for the best but prepare for the worst (Politico)

Max J. Zenglein

External publication

Sep 08, 2022

A closed H&M flagship store is seen in Shanghai, China, On June 29, 2022.

Fasten your seatbelts: How to manage China’s economic coercion

Aya Adachi

Alexander Brown

Max J. Zenglein

Report

Aug 25, 2022

Economic consequences of the increased tensions between China and Taiwan (Der Spiegel)

Max J. Zenglein

Interview

Aug 03, 2022

Stringent Covid controls take their toll on GDP growth

Max J. Zenglein

François Chimits

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

Alexander Brown

China Economic Indicators

Jul 22, 2022

Chinese and Japanese national flags flutter on the lamppost in front of the Tian'anmen Rostrum

Beijing’s revealing silence on Japan's economic security legislation

Aya Adachi

Comment

Jul 12, 2022

People stand on pedestrian bridge showing stock exchange data in Lujiazui

China’s economic woes prompt return of bad habits

François Chimits

Comment

Jun 28, 2022

Employees work on the assembly line of Neta electric car at a factory of Hozon New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd on February 19, 2021 in Jiaxing, Zhejiang

"Made in China" electric vehicles could turn Sino-EU trade on its head

Gregor Williams (Sebastian)

François Chimits

Comment

May 30, 2022

Experts on Trade and Investment

Mikko Huotari

Executive Director

China’s foreign policy; China-Europe relations; global (economic) governance and competition

Jacob Gunter

Head of Program

China's political economy; Industrial policy; Innovation

Alexander Brown

Senior Analyst

Industrial policy; foreign economic policy

Andreas Mischer

Analyst

Foreign investment; industrial policy and Chinese automotive industry

Trade and Investment

China in 26: Diplomatic strength, economic weakness, investment increase

Chinese investment rises to 7-year high - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2025 Update

China's economy in Q1: Economy rebounds as geopolitical fallout is yet to come

In taking H200 chips, Beijing balances self-reliance goals with AI growth

Many countries launch new trade measures – but China’s exports just keep growing

China’s overcapacity threatens to reshuffle global industrial bases

China's economy in Q4: Strong exports offset domestic weaknesses

Towards a conditioning of Chinese greenfield investments in the EU

China in 2026

Europe’s vehicle-data gap: How under-regulation gives Chinese carmakers an edge

China will continue its successful strategy “Made in China 2025”

Solid GDP growth in Q2 masks China’s challenges

The EU sees early successes in using foreign subsidy regulation against Chinese companies

Chinese FDI in Europe rebounds, with Armand Meyer and Andreas Mischer

China in 25: AI chips, national security and Chinese investments in Europe

Chinese investment rebounds despite growing frictions - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2024 Update

China’s overcapacities, with Max J. Zenglein and Jacob Gunter

China's economy improves as it braces for external shock

The China-US trade war and implications for the EU, with Jacob Gunter

MERICS China Essentials Special Issue: The US-China trade war

Beyond overcapacity: Chinese-style modernization and the clash of economic models

Staying united is the best way for the EU to reduce its trade vulnerabilities on China

China’s economy in 2025, with Max Zenglein

China’s record trade surplus + Anti-corruption campaign + De-risking

German carmakers are placing a risky bet on China

China is dominating exports, but lacking in global integration, with François Chimits

Fighting local government debt, with Victor Shih and Max Zenglein

China’s surging overcapacities are pressuring many developing countries too

New MERICS index: how internationally integrated is China's economy?

China’s economy shows faint signs of stabilization over Q3

Growing asymmetry: Mapping the import dependencies in EU and US trade with China

Economic momentum falters over Q2

China’s guerrilla strategy in a fragmenting global economy

New MERICS & Rhodium Group report: Hungary emerges as main destination of Chinese investment in Europe

Online MERICS Event: Chinese investments in Europe hit decade low

Dwindling investments become more concentrated - Chinese FDI in Europe: 2023 Update

China steps up investments in Hungary, with Alexander Brown and Gregor Sebastian

Toward South Korean-German cooperation in economic security

Economic insecurity + Xinjiang + Wang Yi in Europe

Economic drivers of diversification

Increasing economic pressure on Taiwan is risky business for China

Sputtering economy + Floods around Beijing + End of Italy's BRI pact

Chinese investment in Europe hits decade low, with Agatha Kratz and Gregor Sebastian

Report by MERICS and Rhodium Group: Battery investments are now the mainstay of Chinese FDI in Europe

EV battery investments cushion drop to decade low: Chinese FDI in Europe 2022 Update

The e-CNY will not help the yuan displace the dollar any time soon

The digital yuan struggles to find Chinese shoppers willing to spend it

Profits of German investors in China – an empirical survey

China's economy in 2023, with Max J. Zenglein

Light at the end of the tunnel after a weak Q4

German government stops sale of chip factory to Chinese-owned buyer

Japan’s Chinese lesson – diversifying only production is not enough

Economy improves in Q3 but faces mounting risks

“With a little help from my friends”: China turns to Africa to bolster food security

How China utilizes economic pressure, with Aya Adachi and Alexander Brown

Fasten your seatbelts: How to manage China’s economic coercion

Stringent Covid controls take their toll on GDP growth

Beijing’s revealing silence on Japan's economic security legislation

China’s economic woes prompt return of bad habits

"Made in China" electric vehicles could turn Sino-EU trade on its head

Mikko Huotari

Jacob Gunter

Alexander Brown

Andreas Mischer

Become a member

Climate goals for officials + Textile sector + Alcohol industry