Chinese Premier Li Qiang said his country has ample policy tools to “fully offset” any negative external impacts, and reiterated his optimism about the growth of the world’s second-largest economy in 2025, despite the latest tariff threat from US President Donald Trump.During a call with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Tuesday, Li said China’s macroeconomic policies this year have fully taken account of various uncertainties, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing a readout. Li said Beijing is strongly confident about maintaining the country’s healthy and sustainable economic growth, Xinhua reported.
Li criticized the US’s imposition of tariffs on all its trading partners as a typical example of unilateralism, protectionism and economic coercion, adding that China’s firm response is not only to safeguard its own interests but also to defend international trade rules.
“Protectionism leads nowhere — openness and cooperation are the right path for all,” Li was quoted as saying.He said China and the EU should strengthen communication and expand mutual opening up, adding that both sides should push for a new round of high-level dialogue on strategic cooperation and trade, as well as on green and digital developments as soon as possible, the report said.
Li criticized the US’s imposition of tariffs on all its trading partners as a typical example of unilateralism, protectionism and economic coercion, adding that China’s firm response is not only to safeguard its own interests but also to defend international trade rules.
“Protectionism leads nowhere — openness and cooperation are the right path for all,” Li was quoted as saying.He said China and the EU should strengthen communication and expand mutual opening up, adding that both sides should push for a new round of high-level dialogue on strategic cooperation and trade, as well as on green and digital developments as soon as possible, the report said.
The Chinese premier’s remarks came as the country pledged to retaliate after Trump threatened a further 50% tariff on all Chinese goods unless Beijing withdraws its tit-for-tat retaliation against his earlier “reciprocal” levies. That would take the cumulative tariff rate announced this year to 104% — effectively doubling the import price of any goods shipped from China to the US.
