French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné recently met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss trade issues and the war in Ukraine ahead of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s planned visit to France later this spring. Séjourné emphasized the importance of rebalancing the economic partnership between Europe and China, pointing out concerns about deficits and unfair advantages in trade. European leaders have expressed worries about Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles disrupting production and displacing jobs in Europe, as well as recent changes to national security laws affecting business operations in China.
On the Chinese side, officials are concerned about the European Union’s “de-risking” strategy to diversify its supplies and minerals sources, and Wang expressed hope that this would not harm business sentiment. He reassured that China offers opportunities to Europe rather than risks, emphasizing the partnership between the two sides. China also expressed willingness to import more high-quality French products and resolve concerns raised by European companies, such as restrictions on data transfer overseas. Séjourné clarified that Europe remains open to investment and is not becoming protectionist, encouraging Chinese companies to create jobs in Europe.
The foreign ministers did not specifically mention ongoing trade investigations, including a Chinese anti-dumping probe into French brandy imports, which could potentially escalate into a trade war alongside the EU electric vehicle investigation. The discussion also touched on the war in Ukraine, with France expecting China to convey clear messages to Russia as a major country. However, China’s stance on the conflict differs from that of Europe and the United States, both of which support Ukraine. Despite China’s relationship with Russia, it remains unclear what message it is delivering. Séjourné reiterated France’s commitment to maintaining a close dialogue with China to help find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Overall, the discussions between France and China highlighted the importance of addressing trade imbalances, promoting economic cooperation, and navigating geopolitical challenges such as the war in Ukraine. Both sides emphasized the need for a constructive partnership and expressed willingness to address concerns raised by European companies. As China continues to assert itself as a global economic power, finding a balance between competition and cooperation with European partners remains crucial. The upcoming visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to France presents an opportunity for further dialogue and collaboration on these complex issues, with the hope of strengthening ties and fostering mutual understanding.
