# German Chancellor Asia diplomatic tour > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-chancellor-asia-diplomatic-tour > Updated: 2026-10-30T10:15:56.000Z. Sources: 69. Developments: 4. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has completed a five-day diplomatic and economic mission through Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Accompanied by approximately 30 high-ranking business leaders, the tour aimed to strengthen strategic, economic, and security ties while securing supply chains. In Singapore, Merz met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to establish a work plan for defense, green energy, and artificial intelligence. In Japan, discussions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi focused on G7 economic ties, semiconductors, and hydrogen energy. Merz proposed a new political alliance to defend a rules-based global trade order and suggested an EU-wide free trade agreement with the CPTPP. The tour concluded in South Korea, where Merz met with President Lee Jae Myung. The leaders discussed deepening security cooperation, specifically addressing the threat posed by North Korean soldiers participating in the war in Ukraine. Merz stated that “the security of the Korean Peninsula is intrinsicallyly linked to European security,” leading to agreements on intelligence sharing and joint military exercises. During his visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Merz briefly stepped onto the North Korean side of the border and expressed hope for Korean reunification, drawing parallels to Germany’s own history. At the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, Merz called for an alliance of like-minded states to counter unilateralism and autocratic power politics. Following the tour, Merz announced his intention to raise concerns in Brussels regarding feedback from his Asian partners. He reported that nations in the region fear EU industrial policies, such as the proposed EU Industrial Accelerator Act, could trigger a new wave of economic protectionism. Merz emphasized that the EU must remain open to trade to ensure European products can succeed in Asian markets. ## Claims - Merz proposed the formation of an alliance of like-minded states for free global trade. (reported by 7 sources) - Merz advocated for linking EU free trade agreements and concluding new ones with ASEAN or the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (reported by 5 sources) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the inner-Korean border. (reported by 5 sources) - Merz expressed hope that Korea might one day regain state unity. (reported by 5 sources) - The demarcation line between the two Korean states is 248 kilometers long. (reported by 5 sources) - Friedrich Merz conducted a five-day diplomatic and economic tour of Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. (reported by 4 sources) - North Korean troop deployment in Ukraine is a direct threat to European security. (reported by 4 sources) - Germany and South Korea agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense and intelligence. (reported by 4 sources) - The Korean Peninsula has been divided for 73 years. (reported by 3 sources) - Approximately 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian forces. (reported by 2 sources) - The German Chancellor was accompanied by a delegation of approximately 30 business executives. (reported by 2 sources) - The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul expected up to 1,000 participants. (reported by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-30: Chancellor Merz warns Brussels of Asian concerns over EU protectionism German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act may be viewed as protectionist by Asian partners in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chancellor-merz-warns-brussels-of-asian-concerns-over-eu-protectionism ### 2026-10-30: Friedrich Merz visits Korean Demilitarized Zone German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone, expressing hope for peninsula reunification and citing Germany's historical experience with division. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/friedrich-merz-visits-korean-demilitarized-zone ### 2026-10-29: Friedrich Merz conducts five-day diplomatic and economic tour of Asia German Chancellor Friedrich Merz completed a five-day trip to Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to promote free trade, strengthen defense ties, and warn of North Korean military involvement in Ukraine. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chancellor-merz-seeks-economic-partnerships-in-japan-and-south-korea ### 2026-10-26: Chancellor Merz begins Asia tour to strengthen trade and security ties German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has launched an Asia tour, starting in Singapore to bolster strategic ties before heading to Japan and South Korea to discuss trade, AI, and defense cooperation. 52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/friedrich-merz-begins-four-day-asia-trip-in-singapore --- Cite as: German Chancellor Asia diplomatic tour. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-chancellor-asia-diplomatic-tour