The Inside Story Podcast Why is France's Macron in China visiting Xi Jinping?
Dec 4, 2025
In this discussion, guests Andy Mok, a senior research fellow specializing in China-Europe relations, Rémi Bourgeot, an expert on French industrial policy, and Ben Aris, founder of an emerging markets media company, explore President Macron's recent visit to China. They dive into China's strategic priorities surrounding Taiwan and the economic implications of France's tech gaps and trade deficits. The panel debates the leverage China holds over Europe and whether Macron can incentivize Chinese investment while pressing for action on Russia.
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China's Three Requests From France
- China wants France to publicly oppose Japan's Taiwan escalation and affirm French strategic autonomy.
- Beijing also seeks a stable pragmatic economic partnership that recognises China's centrality to Europe's green transition.
France's Industrial Strategy Gap
- France faces a growing trade and technology deficit with China, notably in electronics and EVs.
- The gap reflects decades of weak industrial strategy and requires structural industrial policy fixes, not just tariffs.
Europe's Lost Competitive Edge
- Europe has lost competitiveness to China and the US across many technologies, demanding massive investment to catch up.
- Macron hopes Chinese investment in France (EV and solar plants) can partly address the trade imbalance, but practical and political obstacles remain.