Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, and Xi Jinping, the President of China who is on a state visit to France, along with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, engaged in a tense exchange over trade frictions at a trilateral meeting on the 6th local time.
Von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, held a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris after the meeting, stating that she urged the Chinese government to address the structural issue of overproduction. She emphasized that while China continues to provide extensive support in sectors such as electric vehicles and manufacturing, the world cannot absorb China’s overproduction. She also stressed the need for mutual respect in market access for fair trade.
In the public remarks before the meeting, von der Leyen pointed out that the substantial economic relationship between Europe and China is being threatened by issues such as state-led overproduction and unequal market access. President Macron also emphasized in his public remarks the responsibility to ensure fair rules for trade between Europe and China.
During a private meeting, President Xi reportedly stated that from the perspective of comparative advantage and global demand, the so-called “China’s overproduction capacity issue” does not exist. He expressed hope that the EU would develop a correct understanding of China and adopt a positive China policy, emphasizing the need to appropriately resolve economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation while accommodating each other’s legitimate concerns.
China and the EU have been facing friction over subsidies for electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines, and issues related to low-priced sales. Earlier this year, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imported brandy from the EU. The tensions between China and the EU have escalated over trade frictions.
Another key agenda of the trilateral meeting was the Ukraine conflict, where differing positions between the EU and China were revealed. Von der Leyen stated after the meeting that they expect China to use all its influence on Russia to end the invasion war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for greater efforts to reduce the supply of dual-use products to Russia for military purposes.
Despite differences in views, von der Leyen evaluated the meeting as having had honest and open exchanges. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also commented that the three leaders deepened mutual understanding, formed consensus for cooperation, and identified ways to address issues through the trilateral meeting.
Although gaps remain between the EU and China on trade and security issues, the fact that they held a summit-level face-to-face meeting is seen as significant progress. President Xi noted in his remarks that China has viewed its relationship with Europe from a strategic and long-term perspective and considers Europe an important partner for realizing China’s modernization.
President Xi’s visit to France marks the first in five years since 2019.