PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping to offer “fair rules for all” at the start of his two-day state visit to France that is expected to focus on trade tensions and the war in Ukraine.
“The future of our continent depends very clearly on our capacity to continue to develop a balanced relationship with China,” Macron said at a three-way meeting with Xi and EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday.
France wants greater reciprocity in the relationship with China and has backed the European Union’s decision to open several investigations against Beijing for suspected unfair trade practices in sectors such as electric vehicles and medical device manufacturing.
China has retaliated with its own anti-dumping investigation into European wine-based liquors, largely targeting France’s cognac producers.
Xi, however, gave no indication whether he was going to offer any concessions to European demands upon his arrival at the Elysée Palace. He called on China and the EU to “remain partners” and “deepen their strategic communication” during his opening remarks ahead of the talks.
Von der Leyen was more specific in her criticism of Beijing’s trade practices, saying that China’s “overcapacity” in certain economic areas, such as steel production and electric vehicles, led to “unsustainable unbalances.”
The EU Commission president also threatened to “make full use of [the bloc’s] trade defense instruments” if necessary. “Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economies and security,” she said.
In a break with the usual protocol of state visits, Xi’s official car stopped at the entrance of the Elysée Palace, compelling the French president to cross the courtyard to greet the Chinese president. Together they climbed the steps of the presidential palace, before briefly shaking hands.
Macron is also expected to press the Chinese leader on his relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, whose forces have in recent months been able to take advantage of Ukraine’s dwindling supplies while also reportedly gearing up for a possible offensive in the coming months. With heavy sanctions on Russia impacting the country’s trade with the United States and the EU, China now supplies Russia with the lion’s share of its consumer goods as well as key technologies for the battlefield. The two sides enjoy what Xi has called a “no-limits partnership.”
Xi will later be treated to a ceremony at the Invalides monument in Paris, a state dinner at the Elysée Palace, and on Tuesday, a visit to the French Pyrenees.
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