Xi Jinping’s state visit stands out for its trade issues and analysis of crises such as the conflict in Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen will hold a forum at the Elysée Palace related to burning issues due to trade disagreements between China and the European Union.

The EU accuses China of subsidizing key economic sectors, particularly electric vehicles and the iron and steel industry, and is carrying out investigations in this direction, a position that China calls protectionist and to which it has responded with similar inquiries.

Von del Leyen said that she will ask Xi Jinping for a commitment to equitable competition, in order to prevent the European Union from being faced with “an excess supply of subsidized Chinese products.”

Discussions on the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East will also be on the agenda, as well as global challenges such as climate change, the protection of biodiversity and development aid.

Paris expects that Beijing will put pressure on Russia regarding the conflict with Ukraine, while China assures that it is acting in favor of peace and promoting a plan considered reasonable by Russia, but Ukraine has its own initiative.

Another issue on the leaders’ agenda is Macron’s announced interest in Xi Jinping’s support for the materialization of an Olympic truce ahead of the Paris 2024 games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11.

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