French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to ensure more balanced trade during the Chinese leader’s visit to Paris, in which Macron will also press him about the war in Ukraine.
Xi is in Europe for the first time in five years at a time of rising trade tensions, with the European Union investigating several Chinese sectors, including electric vehicle exports, while Beijing is mainly investigating imports of French-made brandy.
Macron said Europe and China are at a historic moment that requires resolving structural difficulties, including achieving a level playing field for companies.
“The future of our continent will also very clearly depend on our ability to further develop, in a balanced way, our relationship with China,” he said as the three sat at a round table at the Elysee Palace.
Minutes earlier, Macron and Xi shook hands in the palace courtyard, while the Republican Guard orchestra played welcome music.
Macron has a tendency to embrace his peers, but not Xi. This time, he just shook the Chinese leader’s arm as they shook hands.
In brief public comments before the closed-door discussions, Xi responded that he considers relations with Europe a priority of China’s foreign policy and that both must remain committed to the partnership.
“As the world enters a new period of turmoil and change, as two important forces in this world, China and Europe must adhere to the position of partners, adhere to dialogue and cooperation,” Xi said.
Von der Leyen said that China and Europe have a common interest in peace and security, but that the relationship is challenged by issues linked to market access and trade.
“We have a substantial economic relationship between the EU and China,” she said. “But this relationship is also challenged by, for example, state-induced overcapacity, unequal market access and excessive dependencies, and these are all issues we will address today.”
The 27 members of the EU — especially France and Germany — are not unified in their attitude towards China, which does not help to obtain change from the Asian country. While Paris advocates a tougher line on Chinese electric vehicles, Berlin wants to act more cautiously, according to sources.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not join Macron and Xi in Paris due to prior commitments, sources said.
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