Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday criticized escalating trade restrictions for disrupting global commerce and pledged that China would push to make international trade rules fairer, more reasonable, and transparent.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, which runs from November 5 to 10, Li emphasized that China remains committed to reforming the global economic system and deepening market access for international partners.
He condemned ‘unilateral and protectionist’ actions by certain countries, warning that such measures had severely disrupted the global trade order.
Without naming the United States, Li said that decoupling efforts, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying trade frictions have threatened economic stability worldwide.
The premier noted that many multinational corporations now find it increasingly difficult to operate across borders, while developing countries are particularly vulnerable to global economic turbulence.
His remarks come as China seeks to present itself as an open and reliable trading partner amid ongoing tensions with Washington.
The CIIE, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2018, serves as a showcase of China’s commitment to trade liberalization and balanced growth.
This year’s event features participation from over 155 countries, regions, and organizations, with more than 4,100 overseas enterprises attending. The United States continues to have the largest exhibition area for the seventh consecutive year.
Despite China’s efforts to promote imports, economists note that the country’s trade surplus continues to expand.
Exports to the United States dropped 27% in September compared with a year earlier, but shipments to the European Union, Southeast Asia, and Africa rose by 14%, 16%, and 56% respectively.
Li also underscored the urgency of improving global trade governance, saying that tariffs and protectionist measures have dominated headlines this year.
His remarks followed last week’s meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in South Korea, where both sides agreed to a temporary trade truce.
The U.S. pledged to ease some tariffs on Chinese goods, while China agreed to resume purchases of American soybeans and pause new export restrictions on rare earth materials.
Li concluded that China would continue to uphold openness, mutual benefit, and shared growth to ensure a fairer and more stable global trading environment.
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