Germany-EU split on China battery dependency

Germany is China's largest export market: $9.15B imports H1 2025, up 31% YoY. Merz pitched an EU-China trade deal in March; Brussels said no. China controls 85% of battery output and tightened lithium licenses in November. The EU-US minerals pact exists. Berlin hasn't signed on.

Germany is China's largest export market: $9.15B imports H1 2025, up 31% YoY. Merz pitched an EU-China trade deal in March; Brussels said no. China controls 85% of global battery output, tightened lithium tech export licenses in November 2025. The EU-US minerals pact exists. Berlin hasn't signed on.