French President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to Spain on September 30, spoke about China: "We do not believe it makes sense to launch a trade war with China or sever all ties completely. First, because our companies still operate in the country across economic sectors; second, because we also rely on certain technological innovations. Therefore, our approach is to maintain strategic cooperation while safeguarding and accepting necessary protective measures."
Macron’s remarks mark a clear de-escalation from his earlier rhetoric—such as the so-called "eightfold subsidy" comments—by explicitly acknowledging two key points: that a trade war is unwarranted, and that complete decoupling is neither feasible nor desirable. In the context of recent tensions in Sino-French relations, this represents a relatively pragmatic signal. This statement is not merely diplomatic phrasing but reflects France’s calibrated positioning within the broader EU-China economic competition: rejecting the polarized narratives of either decoupling or trade conflict, and instead pursuing a middle path of limited cooperation coupled with proactive defense mechanisms. The underlying rationale involves complex calculations regarding national industrial interests, Europe’s strategic autonomy challenges, and the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China rivalry.
At present, French enterprises remain dependent on the Chinese market. Major French firms such as Airbus, LVMH, L’Oréal, Danone, and Schneider Electric have extensive operations in China, making full decoupling highly damaging to France’s own economic interests—a reality Macron clearly recognizes. Moreover, a hardline stance toward China faces significant internal resistance within the EU. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has cautioned that an “Europe-first” policy could be overly narrow; multiple countries including the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Finland have jointly opposed such measures; and Germany’s industrial sector has maintained a cautious posture. France’s attempt to rally the entire EU for increased tariffs on Chinese goods encounters substantial domestic obstacles.
Meanwhile, China has issued clear signals of countermeasures. Throughout the first half of this year, Chinese officials repeatedly stated that any restrictive measures taken by the EU would be met with firm responses. Macron continues to seek a “third way” between the United States and China. He neither wishes to fully align with Washington’s containment strategy toward Beijing, nor can he afford to appear weak domestically or within the EU amid mounting pressure. While Macron explicitly rejects both trade war and total disengagement, this does not imply a shift toward pro-China alignment. His core principle lies in precisely defining areas of cooperation where France remains dependent on China and where mutual interest persists.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877898839458948/
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