In China, Macron wants to take Beijing ‘at its word’ on free trade

SHANGHAI/PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to make China deliver on promises to grant more access to foreign companies, eyeing agribusiness and finance, advisers said ahead of his arrival in Shanghai for a giant import fair.

Macron, who will attend the fair along with other European officials including incoming EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan, would take China "at its word" that it aims to open itself up to trade, a presidential adviser said ahead of the Nov 4-Nov 6 trip.

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"Since this fair is supposed to demonstrate China's openness, well, let's prove it with access to its agrobusiness market and progress on the EU-China deals," the adviser added.

Macron will travel with a business delegation of 30 companies ranging from blue chips to small firms. He will seek greater access in the fields of finance and aerospace as well as fewer export restrictions for French poultry.

China has long been dogged by Western allegations of unfair trade practices, from forced tech transfers to protectionist market entry policy.

That has led to disputes with the United States in particular, which has slapped tariffs on Chinese exports. The French adviser said Washington was right to push for better behavior from the Chinese, even if France does not necessarily support President Donald Trump's trade moves.

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"The United States ask the right questions, but don't necessarily have the right answers," the French adviser said.

The French president will be visiting China for the second time since he took office. During his last trip last year, he said Beijing's flagship "Belt and Road" project to develop global traRead More – Source