President Macron met with Xi Jinping to strengthen trade relations, in the context of tightening EU trade rules.

French President Emmanuel Macron had a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, aimed at strengthening trade relations between France and China, in the context of the European Union preparing to implement stricter trade rules. Macron, accompanied by a delegation of business people, will also travel to Chengdu, a rare move for Xi, who usually does not host foreign leaders outside the capital. Although no signing of an order for Airbus planes or tax exemptions for French cognac is expected, Beijing is looking to reduce trade tensions with Brussels. Macron has tried to maintain a balance between promoting a united European front and not antagonizing China, a vital market for French companies. China is France's seventh-largest trading partner, with significant imports and exports between the two countries.