After visiting Belgrade and Budapest, Xi Jinping met with Emmanuel Macron in Paris. However, the two presidents faced challenges in their political and geostrategic efforts, resulting in little progress. Despite China experts providing warnings and advice on engaging with the Chinese president despite human rights concerns, Xi’s decision to visit Paris first on his European trip raised questions about strategic calculations, particularly in light of France’s position as a major EU power.
During Xi’s visit, Macron emphasized the importance of European sovereignty in defense and the arms industry, signaling that France is not looking to make separate agreements with China. Despite ceremonial events and gestures during Xi’s visit, including a detour to the Pyrenees, diplomatic tensions remained unresolved. The visit highlighted trade issues between China and the EU, including investigations into dumping practices related to spirits exports. Xi’s responses to concerns about overcapacity and the conflict in Ukraine were met with continued disagreements and lack of progress.
Overall, Xi’s visit to France concluded without significant achievements or breakthroughs. The limited progress noted by Macron reflected the challenges in the relationship between the two countries.
