“We want to achieve reciprocity in exchanges and take into account economic security factors,” Macron said in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune ahead of Xi’s first two-day visit in five years. said. .
The EU’s 27 member states, particularly France and Germany, are divided over their attitudes toward China. According to sources familiar with the matter, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not accompany Macron and Xi in Paris due to prior commitments.
“In Europe, there is no unanimity on this because some parties still see China essentially as a market of opportunity,” Macron said, without mentioning the country.
Such divisions could undermine the EU’s ability to influence the Asian giant.
Officials said France would also open China’s market to agricultural exports and resolve issues surrounding intellectual property concerns in the French cosmetics industry.