BEIJING, CHINA – December 4, 2025 – Following the initial high-level meetings of President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to China, the focus has sharpened on the urgent need to address the structural imbalance in Sino-European trade, alongside pressing Beijing for enhanced geopolitical engagement regarding the Ukraine conflict.
President Macron, who arrived yesterday with a significant contingent of French business leaders, is leveraging this three-day visit to push for concrete steps toward economic reciprocity. The urgency of this agenda is underscored by the European Union’s massive trade deficit with China, which surpassed €305.8 billion in 2024, reflecting a deeply asymmetric relationship that Paris and Brussels are determined to rebalance.
Economic Rebalancing: Paving the Way for Concrete Deals
The French delegation is prioritizing market access and fair competition, particularly in sectors where European expertise is world-leading. Initial talks have progressed on several bilateral agreements, notably in nuclear power, agriculture, and high-tech aviation, signaling France’s effort to secure greater Chinese consumption of European goods and services.
A senior diplomatic official stated, “Our commitment is to ‘de-risk,’ not ‘decouple.’ This requires a partnership that benefits both sides. The current trajectory of Chinese exports, particularly in emerging sectors like electric vehicles, demands reciprocal concessions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our economic ties.” The President is advocating for robust mechanisms to safeguard European industries while welcoming fair Chinese investment into France.
Geopolitical Stability: China’s Decisive Role on Ukraine
Discussions with President Xi Jinping dedicated a substantial portion of time to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. President Macron reiterated Europe’s expectation that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a key partner of Moscow, must use its unique influence to move Russia toward a comprehensive ceasefire.
While acknowledging China’s stated position of promoting peace, the French presidency is directly urging Beijing to “refrain from providing any material support, by any means, to Russia to continue the war.” This diplomatic pressure follows intensive discussions in Paris earlier this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasizing Europe’s unified stance on security guarantees for Kyiv.
The visit, which also includes a stop in Chengdu, aims to solidify not just business agreements, but a renewed framework for comprehensive dialogue, managing the inherent complexities of China’s simultaneous role as an economic partner, competitor, and systemic rival.
Malay 
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