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Merkel Presses China on Investment Rules as Li Says No Trade War

  • Trade talks amid German angst over China’s bid for robot maker
  • Merkel chooses words to limit conflict on trip to Beijing
Angela Merkel and Li Keqiang at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Angela Merkel and Li Keqiang at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Photographer: Rainer Jensen/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Photo
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang sought to limit conflict over trade during talks overshadowed by angst in Germany about a Chinese company’s 4.6 billion-euro ($5.2 billion) bid for robot maker Kuka AG.

“We don’t want a trade war,” Li told reporters in Beijing on Monday after the two leaders presided over the signing of business deals valued at about 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion), including agreements between Daimler AG and BAIC Motor Corporation Ltd. as well as Airbus Group SE’s German helicopter unit and China Aviation Supplies Holding Co.