Shakeel Sobhan
Published February 5, 2026 — last updated February 5, 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a three-day visit to the Gulf as Germany seeks closer trade, energy and security partnerships in the region.
What you need to know
– Merz began a three-day Gulf tour in Saudi Arabia and will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
– German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in Australia, urged deeper cooperation on critical raw materials and pushed for a swift EU–Australia free trade agreement.
Merz’s Gulf tour
Merz arrived in Saudi Arabia with a business delegation to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The trip — which also includes visits to Qatar and the UAE — aims to diversify Germany’s trade and energy ties and reduce dependence on US liquefied natural gas (LNG). Merz said the Gulf could help Germany broaden its oil and gas supply chains at a time when major powers increasingly shape global politics.
Germany has long-standing economic links with Gulf states, including defence exports, infrastructure contracts and Gulf investment in major German firms. Merz plans to press issues spanning energy cooperation, trade and security. He said he would raise human rights concerns during talks but acknowledged human rights have become less prominent in bilateral relations than in past years. Saudi Arabia remains criticised for its justice system and treatment of women.
Context and regional tensions
Merz’s visit comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including concerns about Iran, which add strategic weight to Germany’s diplomatic outreach. The chancellor’s approach balances economic and energy interests with calls for stability and security in a volatile neighbourhood.
Wadephul in Australia
While Merz is in the Gulf, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul toured Australia to advance cooperation on critical raw materials and to urge a rapid conclusion of a long-delayed EU–Australia free trade agreement. After talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Wadephul highlighted Australia’s importance in diversifying supply chains for strategically essential minerals such as lithium and rare earths. Australia supplies roughly 20% of the world’s hard-rock lithium and hosts large deposits of elements like neodymium and terbium.
Wadephul said Germany is keen to expand partnerships in the raw materials sector and called for progress on an EU–Australia trade deal “preferably before the end of this year,” arguing both sides would benefit from dismantling trade barriers.
Welcome to our coverage
This summary covers the main developments from Germany on Thursday, February 5, 2026. More updates to follow as Merz continues his Gulf tour and Wadephul pursues resource and trade diplomacy in Australia.
