Overview
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz launched a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with a business delegation focused on LNG, hydrogen and armaments.
- Berlin signaled a looser stance on arms exports as Merz seeks deeper defense cooperation, framing the outreach as part of a broader push to diversify Germany’s alliances.
- Economy Minister Katherina Reiche prepped the ground in Riyadh by signing a memorandum to deepen energy ties that includes planned hydrogen cooperation.
- About 96 percent of Germany’s LNG imports came from the United States last year, and EU energy chief Dan Jørgensen has urged broader sourcing that includes more engagement with Qatar.
- Talks face hurdles as Gulf producers favor long-term contracts at odds with Germany’s procurement approach and its 2043 LNG phase-out target, and Merz says he will also raise human-rights concerns.