This is simply an example of the French being very successful in a market niche in which they excel.
Comparable niches are biomedical and pharmaceutical research, commercial rocket launches, chemical engineering and various luxury consumer goods.
Oh, and building really, really huge airplanes.
And selling to murdering tyrants!
"And selling to murdering tyrants!"
Like the United States does.
There is no US trade embargo on China, apres tout.