Germany’s Asia tour is pairing discussions of artificial intelligence with efforts to safeguard commerce and supply chains as Berlin deepens economic and security ties across Singapore, Japan and South Korea.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting the three countries from Oct. 26-30 with an economic delegation. The German government said the trip aims to strengthen economic and security cooperation. In an Oct. 23 briefing, Berlin said it wants stronger protection against supply-chain disruptions and listed AI and innovation among the tour’s topics.
In Singapore, Merz and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong endorsed a work plan for 2027-28. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the plan brings together political and defense cooperation, trade and investment, digital technology and AI, research, and energy and climate. It also sets out military cooperation, work on critical-infrastructure security, civil cybersecurity and AI safety. The plan aims to help companies from both countries pursue opportunities in ASEAN and Europe.
After Merz met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Oct. 28, Kyodo reported that they agreed to establish an AI high-level dialogue, coordinate on economic security and deepen cooperation between their defense industries.
The leaders had discussed security coordination earlier this year. Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office said Takaichi told Merz in a Feb. 24 call that G7 coordination was increasingly important and that Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security were linked.
South Korea’s presidential office has scheduled Merz’s meeting with President Lee Jae Myung for Thursday, Oct. 29. Seoul said the agenda includes trade and investment, batteries, semiconductors, AI, defense, and regional and international issues. EconoTimes had outlined the planned Seoul talks before the tour. Germany’s itinerary lists Merz’s attendance at the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business and a visit to the Demilitarized Zone on Friday, Oct. 30.
