Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet has warned against excessive demarcation from China and expects a "fundamental dispute" over tax policy in the federal election campaign.

"China is a system competitor and partner," said the North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister on Friday at an event organized by the Family Businesses Foundation.

"That is why ... the delimitation from China, which is based purely on domestic politics, is the wrong way."

One must certainly address human rights issues.

"But we must not break off all relationships because of possibly different images of society."

Foreign policy should not only be pursued with countries that think like Germany, said the CDU politician.

Much more, own interests and principles would have to be represented in dialogue with countries such as Russia, Turkey and China.

The USA, for example, would take a very pragmatic view of this.

The new US administration is talking to both China about the climate and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

"I believe that we need these forms of dialogue," said Laschet.

On this issue, he sees himself in continuity with the Chancellor, who has maintained this course "against some criticism".

The background to the statements is a debate both in Germany and with the USA as to whether one should take a harder line on China.

"That will be a fundamental dispute"

Regarding tax policy, Laschet said: "In principle, tax increases are the wrong way to go." He clearly rejected the introduction of a wealth tax or an increase in income tax. He is certain that the wealth tax demanded by the Greens will not appear in a coalition agreement with the Union. "When asked, the others will realize ... that this should really not be the core political question for the Greens." The decisive factor is that more tax money is collected again through economic growth. "That will be a fundamental dispute."

The federal election brings an "economic policy directional decision," said the North Rhine-Westphalian Prime Minister.

It is about whether people are relieved or burdened, and whether a climate-neutral industrialized country is emerging or whether climate protection is being talked about without looking at jobs and competitiveness.

After the end of the corona pandemic, it is important that the state reintroduce regulations and leave more room for private engagement.

For example, he wants to improve the depreciation for innovation expenditure and the possibilities for companies to transfer losses back.

“The better things are for companies, the more the state will have for its state tasks.” The tax burden on companies in Germany must be capped at a maximum of 25 percent.

During the Corona crisis, the state secured liquidity in companies with help, said Laschet.

"It would be downright absurd to withdraw this liquidity again after the crisis through tax increases."

"That was 16 good years"

Laschet warned against an ideology-driven policy of paternalism.

Germany needs a “decade of modernization”.

For example, he mentioned more speed in digitization, for example in public administration.

Laschet spoke out in favor of a separate digital ministry.

In addition, planning and approval processes would have to become faster.

“There can't be any more like this,” said Laschet.

When asked about the differences between him and Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), he said: “That was 16 good years.

But what lies ahead of us are things that have remained. ”Business associations have long been calling for taxes and duties to be cut and bureaucracy to be cut.

With a view to the formation of coalitions after the election, Laschet said: “I would like the FDP to be part of a coalition.

However, I don't want the FDP to help a Green Chancellor into office. ”The CDU and CSU want to present their joint election program on June 21st.