Emmanuel Macron called, Monday May 6, in front of his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at the start of his state visit to France, for “fair rules for all” in trade between Europe and China – while disputes are accumulating between Europe and China -, and to coordination “decisive” on the war in Ukraine.
The President of the French Republic, who still hopes to place France in “balancing power” in the Sino-American standoff, celebrates 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations with his Chinese counterpart, who arrived the day before in Paris for his first European tour since 2019.
“The international situation, very clearly, requires this Euro-Chinese dialogue more than ever”affirmed Emmanuel Macron at the opening of the discussions while some of his opponents, such as the Socialist candidate for the European elections in June, Raphaël Glucksmann, accuse him of “roll out the red carpet” in a way “obsequious” has a “dictator”.
“The future of our continent will also very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner”he said at the Elysée at the opening of a three-way meeting also in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“China and the European Union must remain partners,” says Xi
“As two major world powers, China and the European Union should remain partners, continue dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust, consolidate strategic consensus and carry out strategic coordination.”Xi Jinping declared to his interlocutors at the start of this trilateral meeting.
“This is to promote the regular and healthy development of China-European Union relations. [UE] and to continually make new contributions to peace and development in the world”, continued the number one of the Asian superpower. The EU officially considers China a partner, but also a competitor and a systemic rival.
President Macron explained that he wanted to raise “in all friendship and trust” THE “concerns, to try to overcome them”warning against “a logic of decoupling which would be harmful” on the economic level, and advocating “fair rules for all”.
The boss of the Brussels executive also asked for a “equal access to markets”. Before the meeting, she insisted that Europe could not “not accept” THE “unfair trade” caused by the influx of electric vehicles or Chinese steel made using “massive subsidies”.
Trade disputes are numerous and could lead to increases in customs taxes. Threatened to be caught between the American and Chinese economies, massively aided by public authorities, the EU has in recent months increased investigations into Chinese state subsidies to several industrial sectors, particularly electric vehicles.
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After a formal welcome with great fanfare at the start of the afternoon at the Invalides, the Franco-Chinese duo will have a more political tête-à-tête, followed by statements to the press and a banquet at the Elysée.
Paris wants to ensure that China does not fall into clear support for Russia in the face of kyiv
The French president intends to ask his Chinese counterpart to support the “Olympic Truce” during the Paris Games this summer. There “coordination” with Beijing on “major crises” in Ukraine and the Middle East is “absolutely decisive”he insisted on Monday.
Paris wants to ensure that China, the main ally of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, does not fall into clear support for the war effort against kyiv. Even “encourage him to use the levers” which it has in Moscow for “contribute to a resolution of this conflict”according to the Elysée.
“China and the European Union have a shared interest in peace and security”underlined Mme von der Leyen, affirming his “determination to stop the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and to establish a just and lasting peace”.
“We have an interest in demonstrating that our collaboration produces its effects”insisted the President of the Commission, referring to the ” challenge “ of the “substantial economic relationship” between Brussels and Beijing.
The two heads of state will travel to the Pyrenees on Tuesday for a more personal getaway, accompanied by their wives.