Xi challenges trade barriers at APEC while Trump's shadow looms over summit
At Limaʼs APEC gathering Chinese leader pushes back against trade restrictions while Trump plans huge tariffs. Xiʼs speech outlines Chinaʼs open-door policy but experts point to Beijingʼs own market limits
At this years APEC meeting in Lima Xi Jinping made his stand clear - world needs more open trade not isolation (his speech was presented by commerce minister Wang Wentao)
Xiʼs message hit hard against trade barriers: “The world faces new turmoil‚ and splitting world economy goes against historys flow“. He pointed out how some countries make-up reasons to block trade cooperation‚ which dont help anyone
During the summit‚ talks focused on Donald Trumps planned return to power (he wants to put 60+ percent tax on Chinese goods). Beijing sees this as a chance to get closer to US partners in Europe and Asia who might not like these trade-limits
Xi showed-off Chinaʼs new business-friendly rules:
- More areas open for foreign money
- No-visa rules for many visitors
- Plans for new free-trade zones
- Extra steps to make China more open
But Ja Ian Chong from Singaporeʼs National University says Chinaʼs pitch as trade champion isnt as strong as it was about 8 years ago. He points out that Beijing helps its companies too much: “China keeps its markets closed just like US; its actually less open than before“
