China is becoming an increasingly hot potato for the economy.
In trade, Germany is very dependent on the Asian giant, which is asserting its interests more and more aggressively.
And a major corporation like BASF has to justify its billion-dollar investments there.
In the Netherlands, the chip machine manufacturer ASML provides another, but very different, example of the problem.
He has been waiting for an export license for his most modern product generation for around three years.
Normally, The Hague decides on such a permit within months.
But the United States has intervened because they don't want to see the unique technology in the increasingly authoritarian country.
Now the USA should also insist on banning certain versions of the conventional machines for export.
CEO Peter Wennink calls it unrealistic to exclude China: The country plays too important a role.
The examples show the dilemma in dealing with China.
ASML benefits from at least one balancing factor: the West wants its own independent semiconductor industry and is now promoting the building of factories.
They in turn order from the technology and market leader ASML.