Why Germany's China policy is unlikely to change, post Merkel

Angela Merkel paid her last visit to Washington as German chancellor earlier this month. US President Joe Biden sought Merkel's commitment to his broader strategy of allied cooperation against the challenges posed by China - an ambition he laid out during his June trip to Europe - but he was probably frustrated by her reluctance to give specific details of Germany's support. While trade relations between the United States and China have plummeted, China and Germany remain arguably each other's most important trade partner. Neither Merkel nor her successor will be eager to upset this relationship by taking more aggressive…