Merz calls decoupling from China a ‘big mistake’ as EU seeks wider trade ties

The Straits Times reports that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking in Singapore on October 27, called decoupling from China a “big mistake” and advocated de-risking and diversification instead. The Jakarta Post reports that he sought wider EU cooperation on open market access, including with Southeast Asia and CPTPP members, to counter trade restrictions. Merz also backed an EU-ASEAN free-trade agreement, The Straits Times reports.