Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE to diversify German trade, energy and investment ties as geopolitical tensions rise.
BERLIN: Chancellor Friedrich Merz has embarked on a three-day tour of the Gulf to strengthen Germany’s economic and energy partnerships.
He is accompanied by a business delegation for meetings with Saudi, Qatari and Emirati leaders.
“In the geopolitical environment in which we operate, we must intensify our partnerships with important and influential states in the world,” a senior German official said ahead of the trip.
A second official stated the goals are to “strengthen trade and export opportunities” and “diversify our supply chains… especially in the energy sector”.
Germany has long exported defence goods and secured major infrastructure deals in the region.
Gulf states have used their energy wealth to invest in major German corporations like Volkswagen and Deutsche Bank.
The 2022 Ukraine war prompted Berlin to increase liquefied natural gas imports from Qatar.
Germany now aims to reduce reliance on American LNG and boost imports of green hydrogen.
Saudi Arabia and its neighbours are also diversifying their economies away from oil and gas.
They are investing heavily in sectors like renewables, tourism, logistics and artificial intelligence.
The Federation of German Industries called for Berlin to drive EU free-trade talks with the UAE.
It also supports a future deal with the wider Gulf Cooperation Council.
Merz’s visit follows a recent trip to India, which preceded a new EU trade deal with the country.
Andreas Lenz, an economic expert from Merz’s party, highlighted the Gulf’s interest in German technology.
“The region is very interested in German technology,” Lenz told Phoenix TV, citing the auto, chemical and engineering sectors.
On human rights, a government spokesman said topics “where we have differing opinions will be addressed”.
Lenz suggested overt displays of “moral arrogance” would be “rather counterproductive”.
Germany values Middle East stability to safeguard key global shipping lanes.
Merz visits as regional tensions remain high, centred on Iran’s internal crackdown.
The chancellor recently condemned Tehran as “a regime that can only hold onto power through sheer violence”.
Germany is a steadfast ally of Israel but has criticised its conduct in the Gaza war.
Merz will be in the UAE as it hosts a new round of Ukraine peace talks.
The talks involve envoys from the administration of US President Donald Trump.
