German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned the United States against igniting a tariff war and spoke hopefully of a partnership with China in a speech Wednesday evening.

Axar.az informs, citing Politico, “If Americans believe they should use their tariff policy to exert influence around the world … that is, of course, a decision Americans can make for themselves,” Merz told a CDU party event in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. “But it is not our policy.”

The German leader signaled he would deliver the same message in Washington next month, where he is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. “You can do it, but we will not go along with it. And if it goes too far, we Europeans are certainly able to push back,” Merz said.

While criticizing Beijing for “aggressively expanding military outposts in the South China Sea,” the German chancellor said he would speak to Chinese leaders about future cooperation with Europe and Germany during his planned trip to China.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the key term is strategic partnerships,” Merz added.