In response to the Trump administration’s “America First” policy, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with Wang Yi for discussions on the Ukraine war and Beijing’s trade dispute with Europe and called for a “powerful Franco-Chinese partnership.”
More than ever, the current situation calls for a strong Franco-Chinese partnership in the name of geopolitical stability, prosperity, and the planet’s future, said Barrot, speaking to students on Thursday morning at the Beijing Language and Culture University.
The tensions between the United States and the European Union are rising as a result of the Paris and Beijing talks, including over Ukraine security and trade.
In order to put an end to more than three years of hostilities in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has unilaterally urged Russia’s Vladimir Putin to step up and declare that Washington will not accept responsibility for the security of Europe.
He made the announcement on Thursday that automakers in Europe would receive 25% tariffs. The most recent levy is in addition to earlier tariffs placed on both enemies and allies.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, claimed that the tariffs would “wore for consumers” and “bad for businesses.”
Paris anticipates that the talks will center on a resolution to China’s trade war with the European Union and Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
Following the European Union’s vote to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in October, China imposed temporary tariffs on imports of European brandy that ranged from 30 to 39 percent.
The move had the biggest impact on French cognac brands, causing a nearly a quarter of the country’s exports’ value to fall.
After meeting top Chinese diplomat Wang at Beijing’s ornate Diaoyutai guesthouse on Thursday, Barrot said, “France opposes any form of trade war and favors dialogue on trade issues, particularly between the European Union and China.”
‘Constructive’
Wang said both countries will use the consultation mechanism between both foreign ministries for in-depth communication on common issues, calling the meeting “constructive” and involving discussions on bilateral and China-EU relations.
Both sides should show historical awareness, support multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism in the face of profound changes in the world’s landscape, he said to reporters following the meeting.
Barrot emphasized seeking a resolution to the trade dispute between Wang and Barrot, but Wang avoided it.
Barrot reiterated his country’s support for its cognac industry and reiterated that France opposes any kind of trade war and encourages dialogue on trade issues, particularly those involving China and the European Union.
Barrot will meet with local officials and business leaders in Shanghai on Friday.
Tensions between the US and Europe
Before a major French-hosted meeting on a potential peacekeeping force for the nation, Barrot’s two-day visit provides an opportunity to assess China’s position on Ukraine.
China might help bring Russia to the table in the negotiations to end Ukraine’s war, according to the French foreign minister.
Along with his counterpart Wang Yi, Barrot and Wang Yi reaffirmed that France and China must work together to bring about a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. China can also assist in persuading Russia to make good-faith proposals for a deal at the table.
The US and Europe are at a crossroads over support for Ukraine, with Washington increasingly perceived as backing Moscow.
Source: Aljazeera
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