With heavy sanctions on Russia impacting the country’s trade with the United States and the EU, China now supplies Russia with the lion’s share of its consumer goods as well as key technologies for the battlefield. The two sides enjoy what Xi has called a “no-limits partnership.”
Macron, meanwhile, welcomed Chinese “commitments” to “abstain from selling any weapons” to Russia and “closely control the export of dual-usage equipment,” saying that such statements were “reassuring.”
Xi in turn warned Ukraine’s backers against focusing too much on Beijing’s support for Moscow, hinting at Washington’s role in the conflict. “We oppose those who use the crisis and throw the responsibility on a third party, and call for a new Cold War,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Xi, Macron and their wives attended an official welcome ceremony at the Invalides monument in Paris, during which the French Republican Guard played the national anthems of the two countries. They also reviewed the troops and exchanged pleasantries about the features of the 17th century monument.
The Chinese leader held three-way talks with Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that focused on the brewing trade war between the EU and China. During opening comments, von der Leyen warned that Europe “would not waver from taking action” to defend its interests as it pursues several investigations into suspicions of unfair trade practices in China.
