French President Macron Turns His Eye To China

France: Macron Turns His Eye to China

Since winning the election in May, French President Emmanuel Macron has kept a full foreign policy agenda. 

In the last seven months, the leader received U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris, presented proposals to reform the European Union and tried to mediate between the factions that fight to control Libya — just to name a few examples. Macron's arrival in China on Jan. 8 is yet another facet of his strategy to elevate France's role in global affairs at a time when other big European players, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, are focusing on domestic issues.

Macron has a lengthy set of goals when it comes to China. As indicated by his decision to travel with some 50 French businessmen, the president is interested in the trade and investment opportunities that the Asian giant offers to French companies. China is France's seventh largest exports destination and the second largest source of imports. Now that the future of trade with key partners such as the United States and the United Kingdom is uncertain because of the White House's protectionist rhetoric and the Brexit process, it's only natural that France is looking to deepen its commercial ties with other big economies.

But France's commercial relationship with China is complex. The French government wants a level playing field for French companies that do business in China, and it's critical of the restrictions that the Chinese government imposes on foreign investors. France is also worried about Chinese companies entering the European market and gaining access to sensitive technology, knowledge and infrastructure. As a result, Paris has asked the European Commission to increase the oversight of foreign companies entering strategic sectors of the European Union's economy. For China, a closer trade relationship with France would potentially see Paris serving as an interlocutor between Beijing and the European Union. (For example, the bloc still refuses to grant the status of market economy to China, which means that China is subject to high anti-dumping duties.)

Macron's visit also addressed France's skepticism of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-billion dollar project to invest in transport infrastructure connecting China to Eurasia. 

While Central and Eastern European countries, which are eager to receive Chinese money, generally welcome the project, France and Germany are worried about the political implications of a greater Chinese presence in Europe. Macron praised the Belt and Road Initiative on Jan. 8, but warned that it should be carried out "within the framework of a balanced partnership" between China and Europe.

Beyond the economy, Paris sees a window of political opportunity in Beijing's increasing interest in multilateralism. For example, France wants China to play a role in supporting and implementing the Paris Agreement to fight climate change, after the United States pledged to abandon it. China has obliged, stating that it will enforce the accord. French officials have also said that they want to cooperate with China on issues such as the fight against terrorism and the de-escalation of the crisis in North Korea.

Macron's visit to China shows that France is interested in having a pragmatic foreign policy, where Paris combines its traditional alliance with the United States and its membership in the European Union with bilateral ties to other pillars of the global system. Macron is also trying to inject new life to the French economy after years of low growth and high unemployment. While his strategy faces constraints, the new French president is committed to taking advantage of the shifting dynamics between Europe and the rest of the world.