France urges EU to end “naive” trade approach toward China

France’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Nicolas Forissier, has called on the European Union to abandon what he described as a “naive” approach to global trade and adopt a more assertive stance toward countries that exploit commercial dependencies, including but not limited to China.

Speaking to Euronews in the programme 12 Minutes With on Friday, May 22, Forissier warned that Beijing stands to gain nothing from trade practices that undermine Europe’s industrial base and consumer market.

“The Chinese have to understand that they won't win anything if they destroy the European industry and then the European market, which is an essential market for them,” Forissier said.

He emphasised that the shift in thinking within the EU is broader than China alone, pointing to a systemic reassessment of trade relations with any country that uses economic leverage as a geopolitical tool.

“We must no longer be naive,” he said, adding that there is a “change of minds” in the approach towards not only China, but all countries which weaponise commercial dependencies. “It's not a matter of China or not. It's not only China, it is all the countries.”

His remarks come ahead of a key “orientation debate” scheduled for next Friday among European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s team. The meeting is expected to focus on potential measures to protect the EU from a surge of low-cost Chinese imports. The issue may also be taken up by EU leaders when they convene in Brussels in mid-June.

Among the proposals under consideration is a requirement for European companies to diversify their supply chains by sourcing components from at least three different suppliers. Asked whether such a policy should be implemented, Forissier responded: “Yes, we have to.”

Other possible measures include imposing additional tariffs on strategic sectors such as chemicals, as well as deploying anti-dumping and anti-subsidy instruments to address imports priced below their domestic market value in China.

Beijing has already warned it could retaliate if the EU proceeds with restrictions on Chinese goods.

The debate unfolds against the backdrop of a widening trade imbalance between the EU and China. In 2025, the EU’s goods trade deficit with China reached €359.3 billion, marking an increase of nearly 20 percent compared with the previous year.

France has consistently advocated for more targeted EU action to shield its economy from what it views as aggressive trade practices by major global powers, particularly China. These concerns include extensive state subsidies, industrial overcapacity, and limitations on the export of critical raw materials.

Despite the tougher rhetoric, Forissier underlined the importance of maintaining open and respectful dialogue with Beijing, noting the significance of bilateral ties.

“We try to respect the Chinese. The Chinese have to respect us and this is the message European institutions have to send,” he said, adding that France maintains a “special relationship” with China that requires ongoing “negotiations” and “respect.”

By Tamilla Hasanova