, Columnist
Why Would China Want the Airbus A380?
The world's most populous country doesn't necessarily need the European superjumbo.
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French president Emmanuel Macron gave a horse to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week, but handing over the Airbus A380 has proved more difficult.
The visit started with talk about Airbus offering China a production role on its superjumbo aircraft to secure a program-extending order for the slow-selling jet. While discussions were held on sales of the A380, according to Macron, there's no sign yet of any new orders or industrial deal for the double-decker plane.