Premier Li Qiang has called on China’s foreign trade enterprises to enhance their “ability to combat storms” amid mounting external challenges linked to increased American tariffs.
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“The current foreign trade situation is complex and severe,” Li said at a symposium with enterprise representatives during an inspection tour of the southeastern province of Fujian from Tuesday to Thursday.
“We must remain committed to opening up … unite, and face challenges together – continuously enhancing our ability to combat storms.”
He also urged firms to actively diversify their markets, innovate trade channels, boost product competitiveness and speed up the integration of domestic and foreign trade, Xinhua reported on Thursday.
Li’s comments came as China’s exports – one of the key growth drivers for the world’s second-largest economy – face mounting pressure, with the outlook for trade clouded by increased United States tariffs on imports from China since US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and the threat of more to come.
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At the symposium, Li said private companies were the largest contributor to China’s foreign trade.
“Governments at all levels should implement the spirit of the private enterprise symposium [in Beijing last month], providing stronger policy support and a better business environment,” he said, while encouraging private entrepreneurs to embrace the “strive to win” spirit.