Merz courts Asian investors as he insists Europe remains a safe bet

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz kicked off a three-nation Asia tour on Tuesday, aiming to broaden Berlin’s ties in the region beyond China. His first stop was Singapore, with Japan and South Korea next on the itinerary. Merz used the visit to reassure investors that Europe is still a stable place to put their money, despite political turbulence at home.

Speaking after talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Merz said there are “no uncertainties in Europe” and that under his government, investment opportunities will be continuously improved. He acknowledged encountering “a great deal of confidence in Germany and in Europe as locations for investment.” That’s a message he needs to deliver: his approval ratings have slipped, support for the far right has grown, and a key minister from a junior coalition partner resigned this month. Meanwhile, France has seen weeks of protests and looting.

Wong said Singaporean investors take a long-term view, not tied to a single election cycle. Merz stressed that Singapore, Japan, and South Korea share “common interests” with Germany, and that cooperation would grow their independence from other countries—though he didn’t name which ones. Berlin is looking to diversify trade and strategic partnerships amid concerns over US reliability and China’s rise as an economic rival.