Chinese President Xi Jinping will make state visits to Europe from this week as he seeks to bolster trade relationships on the continent while trying to end a trade war with the U.S.

Xi will travel to France, Italy and Monaco from Thursday to March 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Monday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The invitations were issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Monaco leader Prince Albert II and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Lu said.

Xi’s tour comes as European powers work to strike a delicate balance between concerns about Chinese influence with a desire for further investment. China last week vowed greater cooperation on "Belt and Road" ventures with U.S. and European firms, an attempt to counter growing criticism that the initiative aims to project Xi’s influence on host countries.