China calls on global trade to defend itself against protectionism

China calls on global trade to defend itself against protectionism

Hong Kong/Beijing - China is prepared for "possible unexpected shocks", explained Premier Li Qiang at a meeting of global executives in Beijing. He asked those present to combat protectionism and to defend globalization.

importance of the China Development Forum

Among the CEOs present were Tim Cook from Apple, Raj Subramaniam from Fedex and Albert Bourla von Pfizer. The two-day forum took place in the Chinese capital, while US President Donald Trump increased the trade pressure on China in order to compensate for an unjust relationship in his opinion. Li warned that "decoupling and breaking up supply chains would only deepen the crises" and promised to further give the foreign investors in various sectors.

global effects and diplomacy

"If the world returns to the law of the jungle, that would be a step backwards in history and a tragedy for humanity," said Li on Sunday in his opening speech. "We have prepared for possible unexpected shocks that mainly start from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will take new measures to ensure a smooth operation of the Chinese economy."

The meaning of lis message is high, because china Rel = "NOFOLLOW" TARGET = "_ blank" https://www.cnn.com/2025/20/economy/china-fdi-jan-decline-intl-hnk/index.html "> reversal foreign investments . The background is the slow economic growth and the impending effects of Trump's customs duties, which could possibly escalate the next month. The China Development Forum has established itself as a central platform for the exchange between high -ranking Chinese official and foreign corporate leaders.

US China relationships in the focus

Li met on the edge of the forum with the US senator and Trump confidante Steve Daines, whose conversation he described as the "first steps" on the way to a meeting between Trump and the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Top managers of large US companies such as Qualcomm, Pfizer, Fedex and Boeing also took part and Li emphasized that the United States and China share "comprehensive common interests and a wide range for cooperation" and called for "win-win cooperation".

Trump has repeatedly indicated that he is hoping for an agreement with China and XI. On Friday, he signaled that the most important trade officers in the United States and China could have talks this week. Since taking office in January, Trump has raised 20 % additional tariffs to all imports from China to the USA, in addition to existing taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars. China reacted to US imports, including agricultural products and certain energy goods, and announced new export controls for raw materials.

uncertainties in trade

The uncertainties in the trade are increasing. Many multinational managers and observers who took part in the forum discussed the efforts to restructure America's trade relationships with China and the expected shocks in global trade. "We are fixed advocates of the open, regular -based trade that works," said Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of the Inter Ikea Group, in an interview with CNN. "We believe that trade is something very positive and contributes to achieving scale effects and using comparable advantages globally."

According to Rich Lesser, Global Chairman of the Boston Consulting Group, the current restructuring of the trade relationships of companies requires that they become more flexible in their supply chains and invest in technologies such as AI in order to become more adaptable. "The short -term disorders require immediate measures, but the long -term changes - in technology, sustainability and geopolitics - will shape trade in the coming decades," he said.

China's role on the world stage

For Chinese official offered concerns and discussions about such disorders, the opportunity to present China as a responsible power on the global stage and as advocates of globalization. "As a responsible country, China will be on the right side of history and fairness. In the middle of the challenges of the present we have to stay on the right track," said Premier Li.