France, Germany and the European Commission have called for greater reciprocity with China as they sought on Tuesday to present a united front to President Xi Jinping in Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron of France has rolled out the red carpet to Mr Xi this week, first in Nice then in the French capital. Both have come out strongly in favour of defending a multipolar world in the face of trade tensions with America.

But behind the champagne and handshakes lies deep suspicion over whether Europe should treat China as friend or foe.

Some accuse the Asian giant of playing a double game - supporting more European integration but driving a wedge between member states via a major infrastructure deal with Italy on Saturday, in what could be seen as a bid to take control of strategic EU assets.

While China’s pledge to buy 300 Airbus planes for its domestic air fleet was warmly welcomed, critics say it has failed to open its markets to foreigners while demanding technology transfers and unfairly boosting its own companies through subsidies.