Macron urges trade cooperation with China ahead of Asia tour
Although Macron won’t be heading to China himself – having made a state visit there in April 2023 – his call to Chinese president Xi Jinping signals France’s intent to stay closely engaged with Beijing.
AmidAmid mounting trade friction between the European Union and China, President Emmanuel Macron made a call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, a move that highlights France’s push to ease trade with Beijing while reinforcing its diplomatic presence in the Indo-Pacific region, reports RFI.
As he prepares to embark on a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, Macron held a strategic call with Xi, pressing for progress on a key trade dispute and backing closer cooperation on global flashpoints such as Ukraine and Gaza.
Although Macron won’t be heading to China himself – having made a state visit there in April 2023 – his outreach signals France’s intent to stay closely engaged with Beijing.
Thursday's phone call centred around ongoing trade tensions between China and the EU, particularly those over Beijing’s tariffs on French cognac.
