Journalism of Courage
Days ahead of talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Qiang took a dig at Washington and said that the world should not return to “the law of the jungle” when it comes to trade and denounced “unilateralism” on Monday, news agency AFP reported.
Li Qiang made the remarks during a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in clear reference to President Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” imposed on almost all trading partners of the United States, including China which have disrupted the global supply chains and markets.
The Chinese premier’s comments also come a day after US and China’s officials said that both the countries have reached an “initial consensus” on a potential trade deal.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview that the threat of a 100% additional tariff on Chinese goods was “effectively off the table.” “I think we have a very successful framework for the leaders to discuss on Thursday,” Bessent added.
Trump had earlier threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods if a trade deal is not finalised with Washington by November 1.
“Economic globalization and multipolarity are irreversible. The world should not return to the law of the jungle where the strong bully the weak,” Li Qiang was quoted as saying by AFP. The Chinese premier also advocated for a strengthened commitment to the global “free trade system.”
Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to meet in South Korea on Thursday and sign a potential trade deal that could pause their ongoing trade war. While en route to Japan, Trump said that he is hopeful of a deal with Xi Jinping in South Korea.
“We meet, as you know, in South Korea with President Xi. I think we’re going to have a good deal with China,” Trump said.
