The first day Stay Xi Jinping in Europe The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, presented him with several bottles of the most elegant French cognacs. This was not the worst idea.
China’s anti-dumping investigation into European wine-based alcoholic beverages, targeting French cognac producers in particular, is seen as a response to the European Union’s decision to launch a number of investigations in Beijing into trade practices. unfair in the electric vehicle and medical device industries. politics.
It is noted that in response, Xi proposed not to introduce restrictive tariffs on French cognacs and support for Macron’s “Olympic peace”. But unlike Macron’s spirits, Xi’s proposals may not be as successful.
During the visit of the Chinese leader, the French president hoped to ease Beijing’s position on several key issues, especially the trade imbalance and an “unfettered” partnership with Russia. Instead, Macron got a Xi who either denied there was a problem, made small concessions that required little sacrifice from China, or completely misrepresented how China was involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
A carrot and a stick
Regarding Ukraine, the Chinese leader confirmed that he will not give up arms The Russian Federation will “strictly control” the export of dual-use equipment to Russia. However, Xi Jinping, of course, have taken into account the concerns of the West since China has helped keep Russia’s economy afloat by supplying the country with consumer goods that are no longer available in Western markets due to sanctions, the authors to write.
Xi used his strongest statement of the trip to take a veiled swipe at Washington and other Western countries that accuse Beijing of supporting the Kremlin: “We oppose using the crisis in Ukraine as blame, smearing a third country and triggering a new Cold War. “.
Journalists say the reference to a “new Cold War” could affect Macron, who is trying to develop Europe as a military and economic power independent of China or the United States.
At the end of Xi’s first day in Paris, the mood on the Champs-Elysees was cautiously optimistic as several advisers saw a glimmer of hope in the talks, particularly on Ukraine. But with Russia benefiting from a battlefield in Ukraine and reportedly preparing for an offensive this summer, talk of an Olympic truce seems like wishful thinking given the reality on the ground.
Driving in Germany
In recent weeks, Macron has called for China and Europe to establish a “fairer” trade relationship and raised the issue during trilateral talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday. He also announced that the suspension of restrictive tariffs on French cognacs was a victory. Meanwhile, the Chinese president wasn’t saying he was against tariffs on French cognac, period. Instead, China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi was denying China’s so-called “overcapacity problem.”
The article suggests that Xi Jinping may have succeeded in driving a wedge between Macron, von der Leyen and Olaf Scholz. “While both Scholz and Macron are making up with Xi, trying to deepen economic relations and reduce criticism of geopolitical issues, von der Leyen’s messages do not inspire much confidence,” the source said. foreign policy analyst Ulrich Speck.
Xi European tour
Earlier, UNIAN wrote that Chinese President Xi Jinping went on a European tour for the first time in five years, planning to visit France, Serbia and Hungary. stopping, they are chosen by China’s implied leader, when viewed from Beijing’s perspective. For strategic and economic reasons, China is eager to disrupt the unity of NATO and the EU. Each of the three countries that Xi visits is seen as a tool that could weaken the West.
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2024-05-08 06:53:00
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