Germany's Wadephul urges China to end supply chain uncertainty amid trade tensions

• German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited China, urging an end to supply chain uncertainty for critical materials like semiconductors and rare earths.
• Europe's industrial sector faces disruption due to China's tightening export controls on these strategic materials.
• Wadephul's discussions aimed to facilitate Chancellor Merz's future visit, though securing new rare earth licenses for German firms remains challenging.
• China's Commerce Minister linked semiconductor supply issues to Dutch interference, while its Foreign Minister reiterated the "One China" policy on Taiwan.
• Germany seeks to balance critical economic ties with China while reducing dependence and addressing security concerns like the Ukraine war.

Why It Matters: China's export curbs on vital materials jeopardize European manufacturing.