French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen cooperation on geopolitics, trade, and environmental issues, highlighting the European Union’s efforts to engage China in resolving the war in Ukraine. The appeal comes as Beijing seeks diplomatic gains amid ongoing tensions with the United States over tariffs and global trade competition.
Macron’s visit, his fourth state trip to China, includes a large business delegation aiming to secure commercial deals for French industries and bolster his foreign policy credentials ahead of the final years of his term and the 2027 presidential election. The delegation includes executives from major French companies such as Airbus, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Alstom, alongside leaders from the dairy and poultry sectors.
Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Macron emphasised the importance of Franco-Chinese dialogue, presenting a “positive three-fold agenda” focused on geopolitical stability, economic rebalancing, and environmental sustainability. He stressed the need for cooperation in promoting global peace and stability, specifically mentioning the conflict in Ukraine.
China, meanwhile, is seeking to ease trade tensions with the EU over its subsidised electric vehicle sector, presenting itself as a reliable trade partner and an alternative to the US market amid fears of a global recession triggered by American tariffs. Analysts note, however, that political constraints are likely to limit Beijing’s concessions. For instance, China is unlikely to approve a long-awaited Airbus order or adjust minimum prices for French cognac, as both measures could weaken China’s negotiating leverage in broader trade talks.
Despite these constraints, Macron and Xi signed 12 cooperation agreements covering areas such as population ageing, bilateral investment, nuclear energy, and even panda conservation. Xi also encouraged France to deepen collaboration with China in aerospace, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, the green economy, and biopharmaceuticals.
Xi is accompanying Macron on a rare visit to southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Friday, a sign of the Chinese leadership’s high-level attention to the visit. During talks, Xi reiterated China’s commitment to promoting peace in Ukraine and Gaza, while highlighting the need for strategic independence and cooperation among major powers.
France’s trade relationship with China remains significant but imbalanced. China buys approximately $35 billion in French goods annually, including cosmetics, aircraft parts, and alcoholic spirits, while France imports about $45 billion in Chinese products, mostly low-value goods through online platforms like Shein. Macron called for fairer economic rules and stronger governance to stabilise supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities exposed by the global economic environment.
Overall, Macron’s visit reflects a dual strategy: maintaining a strong European front in dealing with China, while carefully navigating Beijing’s sensitivities to protect French economic interests and secure tangible industrial and technological agreements. The visit underscores the increasingly complex balancing act in global diplomacy, where trade, geopolitics, and climate issues intersect.
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