Macron urges Xi to ease Cognac tariffs, support peace efforts

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to avoid tariffs on Cognac and to support ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, as the leaders discussed trade tensions and global conflicts.

During a call on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about growing trade tensions and international conflicts, focusing on economic cooperation and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Macron asked Xi to protect French Cognac exports from Chinese tariffs, warning that a level playing field is essential for French businesses operating in China. He stressed that while France welcomes Chinese investment, French companies should receive equal treatment.

“We’ve agreed to move quickly on resolving the Cognac issue, which is vital for our producers,” Macron said in a social media post.

China is currently investigating French Cognac imports in a trade probe widely seen as retaliation for France’s strong backing of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last October. A final decision is expected by July.

French Economy Minister Eric Lombard recently met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris to address the issue, but their lengthy talks ended without resolution. He insisted Chinese authorities would decide the outcome independently.

Beyond trade, Macron pledged to cooperate with China in pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and called for renewed collaboration on peace in the Middle East. He said France and China will jointly prepare for a June peace conference in New York aimed at advancing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Macron is scheduled to visit Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore next week as part of a regional tour to strengthen France’s role in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s economic and territorial assertiveness continues to grow.

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