President Xi Jinping calls for free trade amid looming U.S. protectionism
LIMA – Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Saturday to work with the incoming U.S. administration of Donald Trump as he held his final talks with outgoing President Joe Biden.
On the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru, Xi emphasised during his meeting with Biden his country’s goal to establish “a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-U.S. relationship,” adding that “China is ready to work with the new U.S. administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation, and manage differences.”
Biden told Xi that the two leaders have not always agreed, but their discussions have been “frank” and “candid,” stressing that maintaining leader-to-leader talks would be vital even after he left office.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to impose 60% tariffs on U.S. imports of Chinese goods as part of his “America First” trade agenda. This approach is already taking shape with the appointment of several China hawks to key positions, including U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Representative Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser.
In response, the Chinese president reiterated the need to push for more free trade as Asia-Pacific cooperation faces “rising protectionism,” according to Chinese state media.
“We should dismantle the high wall that divides the flow of trade, investment, technology and services, and maintain a stable and smooth industrial supply chain,” Xi said on Saturday, according to a transcript of the speech published by state television CCTV.
