Chinese language President Xi Jinping will meet Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has stated she’s going to push for competitors with China that’s “truthful and never distorted” in talks with Chinese language President Xi Jinping.
“I’ve made it clear that present imbalances in market entry should not sustainable and should be addressed,” EU Fee President von der Leyen stated hours earlier than a gathering between her, Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron. . in Paris.
Xi started a three-country tour of Europe on Sunday as EU officers are investigating the enterprise practices of Chinese language corporations working within the bloc.
The European Fee final week opened an investigation to find out whether or not European medical system suppliers have truthful market entry in China.
The investigation follows related investigations into Chinese language suppliers of wind generators and Chinese language subsidies for photo voltaic panels, electrical autos (EVs) and trains.
European automakers reminiscent of Volkswagen and Renault are dropping floor to Chinese language electrical automobile makers, which have obtained billions of {dollars} in state subsidies lately.
EU officers are additionally involved about Chinese language espionage and Beijing’s navy cooperation with Russia as Moscow continues its warfare towards Ukraine.
Von der Leyen on Sunday reiterated the bloc’s place that it ought to “de-risk” ties with China however not disengage from the world’s second-largest economic system, in distinction to Washington’s aggressive strikes to utterly exclude key Chinese language industries. .
“We’ve been very clear about our relationship with China, which is among the most advanced, but in addition probably the most necessary,” he stated.
However Von der Leyen stated the EU couldn’t settle for “market-distorting practices.”
“China at present manufactures, with large subsidies, greater than it sells on account of its personal weak home demand. That is inflicting an oversupply of backed Chinese language items, reminiscent of electrical autos and metal, resulting in unfair commerce,” he acknowledged.
Von der Leyen stated she would encourage Xi to deal with “overcapacity” within the close to time period.
Xi’s go to is seen as a take a look at of the EU’s efforts to keep up a high quality line between Beijing and Washington, and the Chinese language chief is anticipated to attempt to exploit divisions between the Western allies.
Whereas European leaders have qualms about Beijing’s rising energy and affect, the bloc is split over how to answer the heated rivalry between the USA and China.
Macron, who’s giving Xi the formal honors of a full state go to, has usually warned towards Europe changing into a vassal of the USA and is seen as attempting to forge a 3rd method in geopolitical relations.
“In Europe, we aren’t unanimous on the problem as a result of sure actors nonetheless see China primarily as a market of alternatives,” Macron stated in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune earlier than Xi’s go to.
After a two-day go to to France, Xi will journey to Serbia and Hungary, nations thought of mates of Beijing.