Macron and Xi Jinping sign trade agreements

In a context marked by strained economic relations between China and the United States, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping entered into a series of substantial trade agreements. These agreements, totaling approximately 40 billion euros (around 45 billion US dollars), encompassed 15 large-scale initiatives that aimed to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Notably, a significant portion of the agreements involved a €30 billion deal for the purchase of airplanes from Airbus, which is a major player in the aerospace industry. Additionally, the agreements included provisions for the export of French chicken to China, the establishment of a French-built offshore wind farm in Chinese territory, and the creation of a Franco-Chinese cooperation fund designed to facilitate joint ventures and investments. The impact of these agreements extended beyond immediate trade benefits, as they also included plans for billions of euros aimed at modernizing Chinese factories and initiating new shipbuilding projects. Financial institutions such as BNP Paribas and the Bank of China were set to engage in co-financing arrangements, further solidifying economic ties between France and China. This strategic partnership not only aimed to bolster France's economic interests in the Asian market but also represented a shift in global trade dynamics, particularly in light of the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States. The agreements underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing economic challenges and highlighted the growing influence of China in global trade.