China: Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a strong call against trade wars, saying they bring ‘no winners, as he embarks on a high-profile tour of Southeast Asia. His remarks come at a time of escalating trade tensions between China and the United States.
Xi emphasised the importance of multilateral cooperation and an open global economy. Xi stated that, “Trade wars and tariff wars yield no winners, and protectionism offers no solutions,” urging nations to uphold the multilateral trading system and safeguard the stability of global supply chains.
The Chinese leader also highlighted China’s continued role as a key engine of global growth. Xi commented that, “China will persist in high-level openness, creating more opportunities for the world, and contributing to the shared development of countries through its own high-quality development.”
Xi is set to arrive in Vietnam, kicking off a five-day regional tour that includes stops in Malaysia and Cambodia. The visit underscores China’s push to present itself as a reliable trade partner, particularly in Southeast Asia, with uncertainty caused by the US’s shifting trade policies.
The tour comes as US President Donald Trump continues to escalate tariff measures. His administration has imposed a sweeping 145 percent tariff on Chinese exports, while threatening new tariffs on semiconductors this week. Although Trump recently granted a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for several countries, China was notably excluded from the reprieve.
China remains the largest trading partner of ASEAN and holds top bilateral trade status with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Vietnam, in particular, has seen imports from China surge over 30 percent in 2024, reaching $144 billion, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Following his visit to Vietnam, Xi will travel to Malaysia, before concluding his tour in Cambodia.
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