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Here at the newsagents, we can't quite believe what we're about to say, because it goes against the grain of this podcast. It flies in the

face of tradition. It seems to call into question our central ethos. But maybe, just maybe,

last night in Washington, Liz Truss was right. Putin and Xi have made it very clear that they are allies against Western capitalism.

That's why I think it was a mistake for Western leaders to visit President Xi and ask for him to intervene in seeking a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

I believe that was a sign of weakness.

It's also why it's wrong for President Macron to suggest that Taiwan is simply something not of direct interest to Europe.

I don't agree with that at all.

It is of direct interest to Europe.

And I think we should be doing all we can to make sure Taiwan has the support it needs to defend itself. It's not just Liz Truss

that thinks Emmanuel Macron has got himself into really hot water. And today on the newsagents,

we're going to discuss his trip to Beijing to China, where it went wrong, how it started to unravel on the plane with a journalist,

who we also bring you, and just what it means for Taiwan's independence and for all our safety.

Welcome to the newsagents.

The Newsagents. The Newsagents.

It's John.

It's Emily.

And a little bit later on, having been really lovely about Liz Truss, we're going to be maybe a little more critical about some of the other things she said in her speech,

celebrating Margaret Thatcher in Washington last night.

But let us first set the scene because Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was called up

to Beijing on a state visit and he arrived with 50 French business people in tow. In other words,

...