According to the press release, they reaffirmed their common commitment to defending the international system of norms, human rights, and ethical business practises. The leaders emphasised the US and Germany’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine with financial aid, humanitarian aid, and security assistance so that it can defend itself against Russian aggression.
The recent nuclear threats from Russia were described as “irresponsible” by the two presidents. The two leaders also talked about Scholz’s recent travel to the People’s Republic of China, according to the press statement.
The German Chancellor visited China earlier on Friday, becoming the first G7 leader to do so in about three years.
The visit took place against a backdrop of a global shortage of semiconductors following the US’s embargo on the export of sophisticated computer chips to China, which intensified attempts to rein in China’s technological and military aspirations.
Scholz travelled to China with a delegation of senior executives, suggesting that trade with the second-largest economy in the world must continue. The first G7 head of state to visit China in almost three years happens as Germany enters a recession.
According to official figures, China was Germany’s top trading partner last year for the sixth consecutive year, with the value of trade increasing by more than 15% from 2020. In 2021, China’s exports to and imports from Germany totaled Euro 245 billion (USD 242 billion).
In the meantime, preparations are being made in the US for the next mid-term elections, which are set to occur in less than a week.
The midterm elections in the US are the regular elections that take place around the middle of a president’s four-year term.
All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the US Senate are up for election during the midterm elections.
