The man was Zhang Lei, the founder of Envision, a prominent Chinese company that makes wind turbines and lithium batteries. Its battery arm is investing up to €2 billion in this Douai factory and, more importantly, contributed the expertise for efficient mass production. He and Macron grabbed markers and signed their names on the first battery produced in Douai. “Thank you, Chairman, because you trusted us and because you did exactly what you said you would do,” Macron said, looking straight into Zhang’s eyes.