# Friedrich Merz

China’s Open Door and a Fracturing G7: Why Western Leaders Are Visiting While Trump Stands Alone

A series of recent visits by G7 leaders to Beijing has highlighted a pragmatic turn among Western governments toward economic engagement with China, driven by market incentives and dissatisfaction with perceived U.S. unpredictability. The trend reflects hedging rather than alliance abandonment and raises challenges for U.S. influence if Washington cannot offer steadier, credible leadership.