Emmanuel Macron all business in Beijing in call for more open trade with China
French president says his country will help build a strong EU in the face of competition from the United States and China
French President Emmanuel Macron was all business on the second day of his trip to China, calling on Europe to be better coordinated for trade with China and for Beijing to allow greater access to its markets.
Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping also witnessed the signing of a series of commercial deals on Tuesday, including the launch of a third-generation EPR nuclear reactor in China.
In talks between the two leaders, Xi said China and France should step up cooperation in international affairs.
Macron has emerged as a strong voice in Europe in the absence of German or British leadership – German Chancellor Angela Merkel is bogged down in coalition talks and British Prime Minister Theresa May is swamped by her country’s negotiations to leave the European Union.
“I am here to tell you that France is back,” he said, addressing business representatives from the two countries at SOHO 3Q, a co-working space for start-ups.