Germany to tackle trade, China, Syria: Merkel

Berlin

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel said on Monday that she would work with France to tackle pressing issues such as trade policy, the war in Syria and competition with China after the Social Democrats (SPD) approved joining a coalition with her conservatives.

Mrs Merkel welcomed the vote by a clear majority of SPD members that ended more than five months of political deadlock in Europe's largest economy after an inconclusive election, and she said the right-left government must quickly get to work.

"What we're seeing and hearing every day is that Europe needs to step up and Germany needs to have a strong voice there along with France and other member states (of the European Union)," said Mrs Merkel during a brief statement to reporter…