Wang Yi Presses France for Trade De-escalation and Taiwan Caution

Beijing’s top diplomat argued that deepening trade frictions will ultimately undermine the economic health of European nations rather than bolster their market position. He tasked Paris with guiding the broader bloc toward a cooperative framework, aiming to stave off a cycle of retaliatory tariffs and regulatory hurdles that have strained China-EU relations in recent months.

Beyond trade, the discussion pivoted to geopolitical red lines. Wang explicitly cautioned French authorities against developing official ties with Taiwan. According to state media outlet Xinhua, he emphasized that any signals perceived as support for independence would disrupt the diplomatic foundation between the two nations, urging France to maintain a strict adherence to existing protocols.