The European Union anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles, which was supported by Paris, infuriated Beijing, but French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna reaffirmed France’s commitment to communication with China.
Following the EV investigation, which Beijing has denounced as “protectionist,” Colonna’s visit to the Chinese capital, which was aimed at promoting exchanges between citizens of the two nations, including tourists and students, has the potential to be overshadowed by trade concerns.
“We are really committed to dialogue with China,” Colonna told China’s Premier Li Qiang, adding that she was “honoured” and “happy” to see him following their June meeting in Paris.
Colonna stated again on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was “honoured” to have been received by Li.
“With China, we are working to find answers to global climate, biodiversity and debt challenges, and to deepen and rebalance our economic relationship,” she said.
European officials have repeatedly vowed to reduce economic dependencies on China in critical sectors – otherwise known as “de-risking” – in the face of what the G7 calls China’s “economic coercion.”
