In an interview with Les Echos on Sunday (December 7), French President Emmanuel Macron said that during his visit to China earlier this month, he told the Chinese side that if Beijing does not take measures to reduce the widening trade imbalance with the European Union (EU), Europe will have to consider imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, just like the United States.
According to reports, during his visit to China, Macron called on Beijing to address the current "unsustainable" global trade imbalance, while emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation on geopolitical and climate issues. "I tried to explain to the Chinese that their trade surplus is unsustainable because they are killing their own customers, especially since they hardly import anything from us anymore."
｜Extended reading｜Macron's fourth visit to China is reportedly aimed at inviting Xi Jinping to next year's G7 summit.
He added, "I told them that if they don't respond, we Europeans will be forced to take strong measures in the coming months."Following the example of the United States, for example, imposing tariffs on Chinese-made goods.According to EU statistics, since 2019, the EU's trade deficit with China has widened by nearly 6%, and France's own trade deficit with this $19 trillion economy has also continued to worsen.
Macron has long advocated for a firmer stance from the EU against Chinese goods, stating, "Today we (Europe) are caught between US President Donald Trump's protectionism and China. China is attacking the core of Europe's industrial and innovation model, which is a matter of life and death. We have become an adjustment market, which is the worst-case scenario."
While Macron's tone was tough, he also suggested exploring the possibility of pragmatic cooperation, stating that the EU could consider lifting restrictions on exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, while China should ease controls on rare earth metal exports. He also called on Chinese companies to increase direct investment in Europe, creating local value and jobs, saying, "I invite Chinese companies to invest in Europe and create value and opportunities here."
