French President Emmanuel Macron has the Chinese state and party chief Xi Jinping to make a state visit there. Actually, a purely bilateral matter. And on the walls of the court of the headquarters of the French President, the flags of France and China’s hang. But because he followed in the relations with the super power from the far East, a European approach, Macron loaded, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to the conversation with Xi.

It is the practical Demonstration of what the three Europeans sitting at the table, of the Chinese: more multilateralism – an abstract-sounding term that is tried to this day a lot, but just the simple idea hides that international relations should not be one-sided, but all parties Involved need to satisfy.

Frustration in the EU

In the EU has grown in the past few months, the Frustration over China’s barriers to trade and the purchasing policy of the people’s Republic, particularly in the high technology sector. Commission President Juncker stressed that Europe and China are not likely to go on a confrontation course. In relation to China, Merkel, Macron and Juncker recognize the advantages, in your opinion, a little too one-sided in the case of the Asians.

So the three Europeans want to negotiate together, this ratio, in order to assert the rank of Europe in a changing world. Macron calls for more Fairness: “We want to work together to create a renewed multilateral framework that is equitable and balanced.” Xi sits beside him and makes a friendly understanding face.

The Chinese leaders, however, is not the only addressee of the messages, disseminated by the European Trio in the Elysée Palace – and for some it is not even the most important. “It is a Signal to the other Europeans,” says a French government representative. “The Problem is not exclusively European.” Because if the relations, particularly economic, to the detriment of the EU, it is also because some member States allow, and show weakness, it is called in German and French government circles.

The temptation Huawei

Refers to some of the Eastern European EU countries as well as Italy. Rome has taken a few days ago, with Xi a framework agreement, the Chinese mega-project of the new silk road. Add to this the temptation of European countries, the establishment of modern mobile radio networks with the cheap Chinese vendor Huawei to cooperate. The United States classify the group open as a spying tool of Beijing.

The appearance of Merkel and Juncker to Macrons page now supposed to be an act of European self-assurance. “The EU is a multilateral project in which we try, to the outside to act together,” warns the German Chancellor. In relation to China, the words would have to be like “partnership” and “rivalry” re-defined. Against healthy competition is nothing. And Macron notes, “differences of opinion” with Xi.

The Chinese President, the suspicion is not escaped to him by his European interlocutor, contrary to bring into friendship. It should “consult more closely, to trust deficits,” he concludes. “Trust is the most important binder in international relations.” About unfair competition – the European critics, with the closed Chinese markets and government highly subsidized company – he doesn’t talk, however. Rather, it offers itself as a Partner to promote peace in the world and climate protection.

President Xi has not escaped the suspicion, the Europeans are friendly.

like Merkel, Macron and Juncker. They even show an interest in their countries and the EU streets in the Silk-project “the introduction”, as stated by the German Chancellor. But that should lead to “a certain reciprocity”. A bulky term, the simple idea of reciprocity, of balance.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks more of multilateralism, Europe, and China. A Reform of the UN security Council, the world Bank, the world trade organization, and, ultimately, the need, the entire world order of the post-war to the realities of the present. “We are able to transform the multilateral System in changing times?”, she asks. “Or turned to stone us, this multilateral System is completely inflexible and will no longer be able to afford this one day, what must it do?”

The first addressee of this inlet, however, is likely to be neither Xi, the always smiling, friendly Chinese head of state, nor should it rogue EU-partner States. But, rather, Donald Trump, the American President.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 26.03.2019, 21:36 PM