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Growing protectionism and mistrust
Le Monde concludes:
“Macron’s intention is commendable, and dialogue is essential when it is conducted without acrimony, as was the case here. However, what this trip has highlighted is how difficult it is for a mid-size European power to assert itself against Xi Jinping’s China. … Europeans are now find themselves in the role of supplicants vis-à-vis China, with no means of forcing it to reduce its political and industrial support for Russia. … Despite the cordial tone of the talks between Emmanuel Macron and Xi, Europe’s weaknesses make it difficult for it to make itself heard, while China’s strength makes it difficult for it to listen. Their relationship is automatically heading towards increased protectionism and mistrust.”
Economic and strategic dependence
Göteborgs-Posten is concerned:
“We are slowly drifting into the very situation from which Donald Trump wanted to extricate the US at any cost. The trade deficit with China is growing. That doesn’t have to mean much. Trade imbalances are the norm in a global economy, as any reasonably talented economist will be able to explain. But the trade deficit with China also speaks to something economists rarely address: that the political balance impacts the ability of individual states to act independently. We have made ourselves dependent on the goodwill of the Communist Party, so of course we are impacted by its strategic decisions.”
Not budging on Ukraine
Beijing is sticking to its pro-Kremlin course, writes Dzerkalo Tyzhnia:
“An unpleasant but predictable outcome of Macron’s visit for us and our European partners is Beijing’s almost categorical refusal to go beyond vague statements and actually exert pressure on its Russian vassal to secure a ceasefire. What’s more, in the presence of the French president, we heard Xi declare outright his determination to continue providing comprehensive support to Russia. Beijing believes that the EU must radically deprioritise the Russian-Ukrainian war as a factor in its policy towards China.”
Nul points for Macron in Beijing
The pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia concludes:
“First of all, the West has definitely failed in its efforts to persuade China to put pressure on Russia. Xi did not only reject France’s requests but, with the recent visit of its [Foreign Minister] Wang Yi, demonstratively strengthened relations with Moscow. Secondly, Europe remains in a position of economic dependence and diplomatic weakness in its negotiations with China. The EU has no real leverage apart from tariff threats, which Beijing can either ignore or use as an excuse for countermeasures. Thirdly, Macron’s ambitious rhetoric about European autonomy masks the growing fragility of European unity in the face of the new geopolitical reality.”