Мерц резко сменил риторику во время встречи в Китае09:25
; while the PLA is still evaluating
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A separate claim that his co-host John Torode had used a severely offensive racist term was also substantiated. Torode has said he has "no recollection" of the incident.
Nature, Published online: 26 February 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00622-9