Latest news with #Sino-French
eNCA
05-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
France says 'major issues' remain despite brandy price accord with China
PARIS - France on Friday praised China's steps to settle a trade dispute over European brandy imports but warned that "major issues" remained unresolved. The signs of a thaw in the row over the alcohol came as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. In recent months China and the European Union have butted heads over Beijing's generous subsidies for its domestic industries. Beijing launched an investigation last year into EU brandy, months after the bloc undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. In the latest salvo, China will from Saturday require European brandy exporters to raise prices or risk anti-dumping taxes of up to 34.9 percent. Beijing said 34 European brandy makers, including several French cognac producers, had signed an accord to avoid tariffs as long as they stick to an agreed minimum price. France's cognac makers' association BNIC, which includes key producers Hennessy, Remy Cointreau and Martell, confirmed that some companies had agreed to price increases in China to avoid anti-dumping taxes. Macron and Barrot praised China's steps to resolve the dispute but stressed they would discuss the outstanding differences with Wang. In a statement to AFP, Barrot said: "Several major issues remain unresolved, in particular the exclusion of certain players from the scope of the exemptions." "We remain fully committed to reaching a definitive solution based on the conditions that existed prior to the investigation," he said. Wang has held fraught meetings in several European countries this week. After meeting Macron and Barrot, Wang told a press conference: "The two sides had in-depth, active and sincere exchanges on Sino-French and European relations." No mention was made of the brandy dispute.
HKFP
05-07-2025
- Business
- HKFP
France says ‘major issues remain' despite brandy price accord with China
France on Friday praised China's steps to settle a trade dispute over European brandy imports but warned that 'major issues' remained unresolved. The signs of a thaw in the row over the alcohol came as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. In recent months China and the European Union have butted heads over Beijing's generous subsidies for its domestic industries. Beijing launched an investigation last year into EU brandy, months after the bloc undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. In the latest salvo, China will from Saturday require European brandy exporters to raise prices or risk anti-dumping taxes of up to 34.9 percent. Beijing said 34 European brandy makers, including several French cognac producers, had signed an accord to avoid tariffs as long as they stick to an agreed minimum price. France's cognac makers' association BNIC, which includes key producers Hennessy, Remy Cointreau and Martell, confirmed that some companies had agreed to price increases in China to avoid anti-dumping taxes. 'Positive step' Macron and Barrot praised China's steps to resolve the dispute but stressed they would discuss the outstanding differences with Wang. 'This is a positive step towards resolving this dispute, which was threatening our exports,' Macron said on X. 'I will continue to raise these issues with the Chinese authorities this afternoon.' In a statement to AFP, Barrot said: 'Several major issues remain unresolved, in particular the exclusion of certain players from the scope of the exemptions.' 'We remain fully committed to reaching a definitive solution based on the conditions that existed prior to the investigation,' he said. Wang has held fraught meetings in several European countries this week. After meeting Macron and Barrot, Wang told a press conference: 'The two sides had in-depth, active and sincere exchanges on Sino-French and European relations.' No mention was made of the brandy dispute. Almost all EU brandy is cognac produced in France, whose exports to China are worth 1.4 billion euros (US$1.6 billion) per year. French liquor giant Jas Hennessy said it would face levies of 34.9 percent if it did not stick to the deal. Remy Martin will be hit with 34.3 percent and Martell 27.7 percent. 'The decision to accept the price commitment once again demonstrates China's sincerity in resolving trade frictions through dialogue and consultation,' a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement. However, the European Commission kept up criticism of China's new tariffs. 'We believe that China's measures are unfair. We believe they are unjustified,' said commission trade spokesman Olof Gill. 'We believe they are inconsistent with the applicable international rules and are thus unfounded.' Upcoming summit China has sought to improve relations with the European Union as a counterweight to the United States. But frictions remain, including a yawning trade deficit of US$357.1 billion between China and the EU, as well as Beijing maintaining close ties with Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. The trade row blew up last year when the EU moved to impose hefty tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, arguing that Beijing's subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors. Beijing rejected the accusation and announced what were seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products. The EU imposed extra import taxes of up to 35 percent on Chinese electric vehicles in October. Beijing lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation, which in April said it would set up an expert panel to investigate. China and the EU are to hold a summit this month to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. But Bloomberg News reported, citing unnamed sources, that Beijing would cancel the second day of the summit, in a sign of the tensions.
Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
France says ‘major issues' remain despite brandy price accord with China
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (right) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi address a joint press conference after a meeting in Paris. PARIS - France on July 4 praised China's steps to settle a trade dispute over European brandy imports but warned that 'major issues' remained unresolved. The signs of a thaw in the row over the alcohol came as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. In recent months China and the European Union have butted heads over Beijing's generous subsidies for its domestic industries. Beijing launched an investigation in 2024 into EU brandy, months after the bloc undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. In the latest salvo, China will from July 5 require European brandy exporters to raise prices or risk anti-dumping taxes of up to 34.9 per cent. Beijing said 34 European brandy makers, including several French cognac producers, had signed an accord to avoid tariffs as long as they stick to an agreed minimum price. France's cognac makers' association BNIC, which includes key producers Hennessy, Remy Cointreau and Martell, confirmed that some companies had agreed to price increases in China to avoid anti-dumping taxes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore From temples to towers: Old memories collide with new money in Geylang Singapore Clans of Geylang: The fight for survival and revival World Hamas says it responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal in 'a positive spirit' Asia Surviving 40 deg C summer in Chongqing, one of China's hottest cities Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Mr Macron and Mr Barrot praised China's steps to resolve the dispute but stressed they would discuss the outstanding differences with Mr Wang. 'This is a positive step towards resolving this dispute, which was threatening our exports,' Mr Macron said on X. 'I will continue to raise these issues with the Chinese authorities this afternoon.' In a statement to AFP, Mr Barrot said: 'Several major issues remain unresolved, in particular the exclusion of certain players from the scope of the exemptions.' 'We remain fully committed to reaching a definitive solution based on the conditions that existed prior to the investigation,' he said. Mr Wang has held fraught meetings in several European countries this week. After meeting Mr Macron and Mr Barrot, Wang told a press conference: 'The two sides had in-depth, active and sincere exchanges on Sino-French and European relations.' No mention was made of the brandy dispute. Almost all EU brandy is cognac produced in France, whose exports to China are worth €1.4 billion (S$2.1 billion) per year. French liquor giant Jas Hennessy said it would face levies of 34.9 per cent if it did not stick to the deal. Remy Martin will be hit with 34.3 per cent and Martell 27.7 per cent. 'The decision to accept the price commitment once again demonstrates China's sincerity in resolving trade frictions through dialogue and consultation,' a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement. However, the European Commission kept up criticism of China's new tariffs. 'We believe that China's measures are unfair. We believe they are unjustified,' said commission trade spokesman Olof Gill. 'We believe they are inconsistent with the applicable international rules and are thus unfounded.' Upcoming summit China has sought to improve relations with the European Union as a counterweight to the United States. But frictions remain, including a yawning trade deficit of US$357.1 billion (S$455.03 billion) between China and the EU, as well as Beijing maintaining close ties with Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. The trade row blew up in 2024 when the EU moved to impose hefty tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, arguing that Beijing's subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors. Beijing rejected the accusation and announced what were seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products. The EU imposed extra import taxes of up to 35 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles in October. Beijing lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organisation, which in April said it would set up an expert panel to investigate. China and the EU are to hold a summit in July to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. But Bloomberg News reported, citing unnamed sources, that Beijing would cancel the second day of the summit , in a sign of the tensions. AFP
RTHK
04-07-2025
- Business
- RTHK
France praises China over thaw in brandy trade row
France praises China over thaw in brandy trade row Beijing said 34 European brandy makers, including several French cognac producers, had signed an accord to avoid tariffs. Photo: AFP France on Friday praised China's steps to settle a trade dispute over European brandy imports but warned that "major issues" remained unresolved. The signs of a thaw in the row over the alcohol came as Foreign Minister Wang Yi met French President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. In recent months China and the European Union have butted heads over Beijing's generous subsidies for its domestic industries. Beijing launched an investigation last year into EU brandy, months after the bloc undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. In the latest salvo, China will from Saturday require European brandy exporters to raise prices or risk anti-dumping taxes of up to 34.9 percent. Beijing said 34 European brandy makers, including several French cognac producers, had signed an accord to avoid tariffs as long as they stick to an agreed minimum price. France's cognac makers' association BNIC, which includes key producers Hennessy, Remy Cointreau and Martell, confirmed that some companies had agreed to price increases in China to avoid anti-dumping taxes. Macron and Barrot praised China's steps to resolve the dispute but stressed they would discuss the outstanding differences with Wang. "This is a positive step towards resolving this dispute, which was threatening our exports," Macron said on X. "I will continue to raise these issues with the Chinese authorities this afternoon." In a statement to AFP, Barrot said: "Several major issues remain unresolved, in particular the exclusion of certain players from the scope of the exemptions." "We remain fully committed to reaching a definitive solution based on the conditions that existed prior to the investigation," he said. Wang has held fraught meetings in several European countries this week. After meeting Macron and Barrot, Wang told a press conference: "The two sides had in-depth, active and sincere exchanges on Sino-French and European relations." No mention was made of the brandy dispute. Almost all EU brandy is cognac produced in France, whose exports to China are worth 1.4 billion euros (US$1.6 billion) per year. French liquor giant Jas Hennessy said it would face levies of 34.9 percent if it did not stick to the deal. Remy Martin will be hit with 34.3 percent and Martell 27.7 percent. (AFP)
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The Chinese and French children's choirs have another musical rendezvous in Paris
WUZHISHAN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 May 2025 - May is a great season to experience the French romance. Nearly 20 members of the Wuzhishan Li & Miao Children's Choir once again set off in central Hainan Island, China, for a cultural exchange in France. On the evening of May 9 (local time), nearly 300 guests lined up outside Café de la Danse, a theater in downtown Paris, to enjoy the show that highlighted the friendship between the two countries. When the Chinese and French versions of 'Sing Wuzhishan to France' alternated, the performance reached its climax, and everyone could not help but clap along to the song. The event ended with 'Auld Lang Syne.' Monica, a French audience member, expressed that she was highly impressed and thrilled about the people-to-people exchange. The repertoire was co-prepared by the Wuzhishan Li & Miao Children's Choir, Le Choeur des Polysons, La Chorale Chin'harmonie, and Association Vent d'Orient Vent d'Occident. 'Last May, we sang together to celebrate the 60 years of Sino-French diplomacy. Last October, Le Choeur des Polysons performed in Wuzhishan. Children bonded over music and gained a better understanding of each other's cultures. Today, we reunited in Paris, and I am deeply touched.' Elisabeth Trigo, the head of the Le Choeur des Polysons, said. Another phenomenal scene was the collaboration between Huang Hailin and Matthieu Lecoq. Hailin is an inheritor of Hainan's intangible cultural heritage, the nose flute, which is a bamboo instrument of the Li ethnic group. Matthieu is a musician of the Opéra de Paris who uses the flute to demonstrate his love of the history and mythology of Wuzhishan. He stated, 'It is a tremendous pleasure working with her for the first time and finding synergy between Chinese and Western music.' This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. The Publicity Department of the Wuzhishan Municipal Party Committee is one of the organizers of this visit event, the Wuzhishan Li & Miao Children's Choir also visited the UNESCO headquarters, the Cinémathèque Française, and a primary school, not only observing the wonderful diversity of world heritage and experiencing France's one-of-a-kind arts but also spreading excellent. Hainan is blessed with abundant natural and cultural resources and has unique potential in adding 'Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group' to the UNESCO Heritage List. We hope that Hainan can further integrate resources and strengthen systematic protection and innovative development of intangible cultural heritage, said Wang Ying, Deputy Delegate of the Chinese Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.
