Navigating the World Stage

At the port of Le Havre, crane operator Marianne Petit loads containers bound for Shanghai with French wine, luxury goods, and Airbus components. In a Paris boardroom, CEO Laurent Dubois negotiates the acquisition of an American software company to expand his firm's global reach. Meanwhile, in a small workshop in Grasse, perfumer Khadija Al-Rashid blends fragrances that will be sold in Dubai's exclusive boutiques, continuing a centuries-old tradition of French luxury exports. These three workers—in logistics, corporate strategy, and artisanal production—illustrate how deeply France is woven into the global economic fabric.

France's relationship with the global economy embodies profound contradictions. The nation that coined the term "globalization" (mondialisation) and home to some of the world's most successful multinationals also harbors deep skepticism about international economic integration. This chapter explores how France navigates global markets, examining its competitive advantages, vulnerabilities, and the ongoing debate about balancing openness with protection of the French economic model.