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| National Transformation， Diplomatic Revolution and the Adjustment of Federal Republic Germany's Eastern Policy—Interpretation from the Perspective of “Trading State” Theory |
| Gui Li |
| (Editorial Department， Wuhan University Journal of Humanity and Socical Science， Wuhan 430072) |
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Abstract In the 1960s， Federal Republic of Germany's Eastern foreign policy gradually changed from being closed and tough to openness and cooperativeness， and expanded from economic and trade exchanges to diplomatic exchanges. The adjustment of Federal Republic of Germany's Eastern foreign policy was not only the result of political and ideological struggles during the Cold War， but also the product of the transition of Federal Republic of Germany from a “power state” (Machtstaat) to a “trading state” (Handelsstaat) after World War II. With peace， cooperation and multilateralism as important characteristics， the New Eastern Policy became a new orientation of foreign policy. Existing studies have mostly examined the New Eastern Policy from a political and ideological perspective， but perhaps the nature of a trading state was the fundamental force behind its foreign policy shift. The implementation of the Federal Republic of Germany's new Eastern foreign policy has made positive contributions to maintaining peace in Europe and the world， promoted East-West trade and Germany's economic development， achieved Germany's peaceful reunification， and consolidated the Federal Republic of Germany's central position in the world of trade.
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Received: 30 May 2025
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2025, Vol. 64 
