European firms look for footing in China-U.S. rivalry

European firms are concerned they could get caught in the cross-fire of rising economic rivalry between the United States and China, with some officials at a French business conference also frustrated at Europe's slowness in crafting a response. Rising trade tensions between the two superpowers are adding to the problems facing politicians and executives as they face a European economy operating at close to standstill, and guessing whether to prepare for a hard or soft landing. "We're keeping a particularly close eye on the current tensions between the U.S. and China," said Florent Menegaux, chief executive of French tyremaker Michelin….