“FLOODING EUROPEAN MARKET”
Both Macron and von der Leyen made trade a priority in the talks, underscoring that Europe must defend its “strategic interests” in its economic relations with China amid fears of a trade war.
Von der Leyen said there were “imbalances that remain significant” and “a matter of great concern”, singling out Chinese subsidies for electric cars and steel that were “flooding the European market”.
Macron thanked Xi for not imposing “provisional” customs duties on French cognac amid an ongoing anti-dumping investigation, and presented him with bottles of the expensive drink.
Rights groups and political opponents have railed at the red-carpet welcome for Xi.
They accuse Macron of turning a blind eye to abuses by Beijing, including repression of the Uyghur minority while placing too much emphasis on his counterpart’s pledges.
The visit has also coincided with intensified concerns about alleged Chinese hacking attacks – denied by Beijing – against lawmakers and officials in European countries including France, Germany and the UK.
Raphael Glucksmann, a Socialist candidate for the European Parliament elections in June, denounced the “friendly tone” of the visit.
He told RTL television: “The man who deports the Uyghurs (and) represses the people of Hong Kong and the Tibetans is not our friend.”
