After 72 hours of silence, Macron sent someone to call China, and as soon as China intervened, France felt that disaster was coming. What kind of attitude and position did Macron send a phone call to China? Why did France feel that "disaster is coming" as soon as China made a move, and what does this phenomenon reflect about the current situation in Europe?
On October 8, China's Ministry of Commerce officially announced that from October 11, temporary anti-dumping measures will be implemented on imported brandy originating in the European Union, with a margin ratio of 30.6% to 39.0%. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Commerce of China implemented temporary anti-dumping measures on brandy imported from the EU, which was carried out in the context of the EU's insistence on promoting the tariff proposal against China and passing the resolution on imposing tariffs on electric vehicles in China on October 4.
Of course, the provisional anti-dumping measures taken by the Ministry of Commerce of China against EU imports of brandy are based on the preliminary determination of the existence of dumping of EU brandy and the threat of substantial injury caused by such acts to relevant domestic industries. On a practical level, however, the move did have a significant impact on European brandy producers. Especially for France, which has the largest export volume to China, it is undoubtedly a heavy blow.
Therefore, as soon as the news of China's countermeasures came out, the stock prices of France spirits companies immediately suffered a heavy blow. After 72 hours of silence, France's Macron government finally couldn't sit still and sent someone to China to negotiate the matter. On October 10, Bona, foreign affairs adviser to the President of France, had a phone call with Wang Yi, director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office.
During the call, PropNex explained to Wang Yi France's views on the recent economic and trade relations between China and the EU. He said that France attaches great importance to the cooperation consensus reached by the two heads of state, and stressed that Europe adheres to strategic autonomy and is committed to creating a fair business environment. In addition, PropNex also made it clear that France does not intend to exclude Chinese companies and products from the European market, but hopes to find a proper solution through consultation to maintain the stability and development of China-EU economic and trade relations.
Interestingly, Bona said that he "has no intention of targeting Chinese companies and goods" as soon as he came up, which is obviously "soft" to China in exchange for mercy from China's subordinates. As for Bona's statement, Wang Yi also expressed his appreciation. Wang Yi not only pointed out that France is an important economic and trade partner of China in the EU, but also emphasized the benign and healthy China-EU economic and trade relations, which are not only in the common interests of both sides, but also an important force in promoting global economic growth. In addition, both sides believe that China and the EU should not fight a trade war, but should insist on properly handling existing differences through dialogue and negotiation.
Through this dialogue between China and France, it is not difficult to see that China and EU countries are not unable to communicate and reach consensus. However, the EU has repeatedly provoked China and insisted on taking targeted measures against China's auto industry, and even Macron, who has always been known for his "rationality", only thought of calling the Chinese side to communicate after facing a lesson. On the one hand, it is the self-interested ideology of "trade protectionism" in European countries that is at work; On the other hand, it also reflects the inherent arrogance of the West and the prejudice against developing countries such as China.
In fact, the Macron's government's choice to call China at this time is not inevitably an element of internal gamesmanship. On the one hand, as a "European leader" and a "pioneer" in supporting the EU's tariff policy toward China, the France government obviously does not want to immediately "bow down" to China after just voting in favor. On the other hand, France brandy producers believe that China's countermeasures are "catastrophic" for the France brandy industry, and they call on the France government not to let them bear the consequences of "retaliation" from China, which has nothing to do with them. Under enormous domestic pressure, Macron's government has also had to consider popular support and economic benefits.
However, China's move made France feel that "disaster is coming", which also reflects the reality that it is impractical to seek so-called "positive decoupling". The restriction of brandy alone has made Europe mourn, and it is conceivable that once it is completely "decoupled and broken", the European economy will suffer. And this is the main reason why the French side stressed in the phone call that it does not seek a "trade war" with China.
Therefore, both sides should remain calm and rational about the trade game between China and the EU. By strengthening communication and consultation, it is the right way to seek mutually beneficial and win-win solutions. Instead of blindly taking tough measures and retaliatory actions, this will not only not help solve the problem, but may exacerbate the contradictions and losses of both sides.