In the midst of tensions throughout the world, the president of China travels to Europe to strengthen connections.

With disagreements on how to handle Beijing's increasing influence and the rivalry between the United States and China, European leaders began their three-country tour with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday. Chinese electric vehicles with government subsidies are gaining momentum on European automakers. In European capitals, diplomats worry about supposed Chinese espionage. Furthermore, everyone in Europe who backs the war-torn Ukraine and concerns that the Russian army won't stop there is concerned about China's ongoing defense trade with Russia. However, there are significant commercial linkages between Europe and China (estimated at 2.3 billion euros per day), and Xi seems committed to mending and strengthening relationships with European leaders following a protracted break brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak. The president of France, where Xi will begin his tenure on Sunday, wants to see greater economic and