French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday congratulated China on its achievements in a throng of events at the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics while commending the country on its efforts to promote world peace through the Games.

China's Olympic delegation clinched 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals at Paris 2024, achieving its best overseas performance since its first comprehensive participation in a Summer Olympics abroad in 1984.

Ahead of the Games' closing ceremony, President Macron sat down for an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) at the Elysee Palace in Paris. He said the results prove that China's capable of nurturing exceptional athletes.

"Over the years, China has made significant investments in the field of sports, establishing itself as one of the world's top sporting nations. I would like to congratulate you on your achievements in table tennis, swimming, and many other disciplines, which showcase your ability to nurture exceptional athletes and inspire others," said the president.

Macron said he is glad to see the excellent performances of athletes including both veteran Olympians who defended their title and young prodigies who made a shining Olympic debut. He made a special mention of 22-year-old French swimming sensation Leon Marchand, who triumphed in four swimming events.

"That's important for me. It brings joy and inspiration to the French people, just as your champions bring to the Chinese people. As I mentioned, we have been following the performances of table tennis players, swimmers and other athletes. This is one of the motivations for ambitions, that it prepares the nation for future champions and drives many young people to devote themselves to these sports, thereby practicing and developing themselves. That's the most important thing," said the president.

Macron said the country will build on the Olympics legacy to provide more opportunities for young people to engage in physical activities, improve health and gain confidence.

"Apart from the Olympic Games, this is part of the legacy we want to leave: to be a more sporting nation, where more and more young people are taking part in sports, through dreams, through recognition. We are investing a lot in schools. We are now developing sports facilities at secondary schools, and we are building more and more infrastructure. We will not slacken in our efforts even after the Olympics, because it's very important, it is very important for the development, personal confidence and health of our children and young people," he said.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Paris in May, he launched a joint initiative with his French counterpart to call for a global truce during the Pairs Olympic Games.

Speaking of the Olympic Truce, Macron thanked China for its support and hailed the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics for its success in prompting peace.

"When President Xi Jinping came, we reviewed the legacy of the recent Olympic Games, and in particular, I will not forget that the 2022 Winter Games played a significant role since there was indeed an effective mediation and a real truce that was respected at that time. And I want to thank President Xi and all the Chinese leaders who participated in this wish, that is, to achieve a truce for the Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.

The United Nations adopted last year the resolution for the observance of the Olympic Truce for Paris 2024. Macron said it is unfortunate that conflicts continued during the Olympic Games, but he hopes the political initiatives launched during the Games have played a role in promoting peace.

"Just in the last few days, I have reiterated with several leaders the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Therefore, we cannot relax our efforts, which requires perseverance and determination. I think what the Olympic Games bring is the ability to play together, that is, to accept the same rules, respect our opponents, and help warring peoples reach a detente. I believe this does bring them closer, because you know, peace can only be achieved through dialogue with the enemy, so it is very important to respect each other and maintain engagement," Macron said.

The Paris Olympic Games came to a celebratory closing on Sunday after two weeks of intense competitions and record-breaking feats.

By the end of the competition, China and the United States tied for the top position in the gold medal count, both winning 40 in total. As the host country, France took home 16 gold medals, behind Australia with 18 and Japan with 20.

French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

French President commends China's performance at Paris Olympics

Long-standing challenges in Mexico's automotive industry have been exacerbated with the implementation of the U.S. tariff on imported cars, which took effect Thursday, fueling uncertainty and job losses.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all imported automobiles.

Ciudad Juarez, one of Mexico's largest trade ports and a key manufacturing hub, is now facing even greater challenges as rising trade protectionism deepens existing pressures.

At a medal parts manufacturing factory that has been in operation for over 30 years, the workforce has drastically reduced from 60 workers to just 25 due to uncertainty about the future.

Even before the U.S. tariffs on imported cars took effect, mounting pressure had already begun to ripple through the industry, prompting many companies to suspend investment and procurement plans.

"Some 95 percent of the products exported from Chihuahua, where Ciudad Juarez is located, are industrial manufactured goods. We have held multiple meetings to discuss solutions. In fact, over the past year and a half, more than 55,000 factory workers here in the city have lost their jobs," said the owner of the factory.

The automotive industry is a key pillar of Mexico's economy, generating nearly 100 billion U.S. dollars in output. The auto parts assembly industry alone provides over 900,000 jobs for the country, while automotive assembly companies create 175,000 jobs.

According to statistics from the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), over 40 percent of the components used by American auto manufacturers are imported from Mexico. Last year, Mexico produced four million cars, approximately three million of which were exported to the U.S.

Industry insiders indicate that due to the high degree of interdependence in the sector between the U.S. and Mexico, along with a shortage of skilled labor, the U.S. goal of bringing automotive manufacturing back to its shores through tariffs is unlikely to be realized in the short term.

Moreover, the established industrial chain in Mexico faces the risk of being disrupted, which will ultimately have repercussions on consumer spending and further exacerbate inflation in the long run.

"Young people from the U.S. are no longer willing to work in the manufacturing sector. I believe there will be no growth in the relocation of automotive parts and vehicles factories in the short term," said Guillermo Rosales Zarate, ADMA's executive president.

"Personally, I hope this avalanche of tariffs doesn't continue; otherwise, it will lead to more significant issues affecting the U.S. economy. If these tariffs remain in place long-term, it will be the American people who suffer the most," said Ricardo Ramos, a professor with the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez.

U.S. automotive tariffs deepen industry pressures, halt investments in Mexico