Macron winds up successful trip to China, emphasizes importance of China-France cooperation and pushes for less dependence on US

President of France Emmanuel Macron paid a state visit to China from April 5-7, 2023.

"I am convinced that China has a major role to play in building peace. This is what I have come to discuss, to move forward on ... we will also talk about our businesses, the climate and biodiversity, and food security," read a post on Macron's official Twitter account.

During his visit, President Macron witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents covering agrifood, science and technology, aviation, civil nuclear energy, sustainable development, and culture, demonstrating the vitality and broad space between China and France in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

In addition to his promotion of partnerships between China and France, President Macron also warned Europe not to be overly dependent on the United States in an interview with Politico on April 9 on his flight back to France.

Macron's trip to China has resulted in a number of productive agreements. Heads from over 60 French companies accompanied the French president on his visit to China, during which over 18 deals were concluded between 36 Chinese and French companies in the fields of green, innovation, aviation and new energy. The cluster of deals cements the boosting economic and trade relationships between China and Europe. In 2022, China-EU bilateral trade reached a record high $847.3 billion, marking an increase of 2.4 percent year on year.

In his interview with Politico, the French president stressed the importance of China-French relations, and also criticized Europe for being "America's followers." He also warned that Europe has increased its dependency on the US for weapons and energy.

Macron stressed the importance for Europe to reduce its dependency on the "extraterritoriality of the U.S. dollar." The "weaponization" of the dollar by Washington has forced European companies to give up business and cut ties with third countries or face crippling secondary sanctions.

The French president has also taken a more conciliatory approach than the US or the EU when it comes to the Taiwan question, stressing French support for the one-China policy.

"The question Europeans need to answer … is it in our interest to accelerate [a crisis] on Taiwan? NO. The worse thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the U.S. agenda," he said.

Macron has been an advocate of Europe's autonomy. In his interview with Spanish media outlet El Pais on January 18, 2023, he put forward his objective for the European continent to become "a sovereign Europe in economic, technological and military terms, in other words, a Europe that is truly a power."