France is distancing itself from Washington on Beijing ties, stating that China cannot be excluded, but must be included in international discussions.

• The US has adopted a confrontational stance towards China, particularly in the technology sector.
• The EU aims to maintain a balance between its political relationship with the U.S. and its economic ties with China.

The French finance minister stated on CNBC Friday that the European Union does not share the same view as the United States regarding opposing China.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, France's Bruno Le Maire stated that while the U.S. sees China as an outsider in the global economy, Europe views China as an essential player.

Our policy is to engage with China and have it adhere to the same rules, rather than opposing it, as stated by him.

While the U.S. has adopted a confrontational stance towards China in the technology sector, the EU has sought to strike a balance between its political alliance with the U.S. and its economic ties with China.

Despite classifying China as a strategic competitor, European officials acknowledge the need to establish commercial partnerships with Beijing and collaborate on combating climate change.

Emmanuel Macron, France's President, is reportedly planning a trip to China in the near future to discuss energy, trade, and the broader implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In 2021, China was the third-largest market for EU exports of goods and the largest importer, according to data from Europe's statistics office.