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It is sometimes claimed that the UK has to choose between European and global trading links. Germany has managed to be both the most successful large economy in Europe and at the same time a leading exporter to global markets.

Our panellists considered how Germany has managed to combine these two supposedly incompatible goals. In particular the trading models of Germany and China, one of German’s major markets, were contrasted and compared.

Dr Matthias Bauer highlighted that while both the UK and Germany are members of the EU, Germany exports more to China than the UK.

Dr Rebecca Harding added that both Germany's and China's power is derived from their economic power, she argued that the UK doesn't have a foreign policy that deals with trade strategically.

Meanwhile, Dr Karine Lisbonne-de Vergeron discussed how the One Belt One Road initiative highlights China’s aspiration of attaining a leading global position through its dominance of the East and South Asian region.