News brief

In Paris, Xi talks trade and diplomacy. French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed China’s Xi Jinping for a two-day state visit. The leaders discussed trade issues in a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Mr. Macron recently denounced the trade practices of both China and the United States as shoring up protections and subsidies while Europe’s industry remains open and stuck in overregulation. Mr. Macron also seeks to press Mr. Xi to use his influence on Moscow to move toward ending the war in Ukraine. The visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.

China and the United States share a desire to stabilize relations, but a recent trip by the U.S. treasury secretary highlights a critical, longstanding pain point: China’s export of cheap, surplus products.