As part of his visit to China, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that an agreement on the protection of protected geographical indications (PGIs) will be signed on Wednesday 6 November in Beijing between the European Union and the People's Republic of China.
At the last EU-China Summit, both sides undertook to conclude this long-awaited agreement before the end of the year (see EUROPE 12357/15). "We will sign in Beijing what we launched last March with Jean-Claude Juncker and Angela Merkel", Emmanuel Macron said during a meeting with representatives of French and German companies in Shanghai, reports Reuters. "It’s a step forward in the relationship that is the result of a common game", continued the French head of state, who called to play "European" with Beijing in an international context "increasingly shaken".
Phil Hogan, former Commissioner for Agriculture, now in charge of Trade in the von der Leyen Commission, was also present in Shanghai. He mentioned a "very strong signal for the European Union and China". According to Reuters, he believes that, in the face of global "uncertainties" due in particular to Sino-American trade tensions, Europe needs "a more important set of tools so that we have equal opportunities for our companies". (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki, intern)