Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on American companies to expand their presence in China and pledged that Beijing would address their "reasonable concerns," as China looks to stabilise trade ties with Washington ahead of President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the U.S. later this month
Li made the comments during a meeting with a delegation from the U.S.-China Business Council, led by its chair, Visa Chief Executive Ryan McInerney, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The council represents more than 270 American companies with operations in China, including Visa, Medtronic, 3M and Pfizer.
"China may be the only market in the world that combines the two qualities of being large and new," Li told the delegation, pointing to the country's fast-growing smart and green consumption sectors as evidence of continued opportunity for foreign firms.
The premier said Beijing would ensure a fair and competitive market for U.S. businesses and work to resolve difficulties they raise while calling on Washington to reciprocate by taking "concrete steps" to address concerns China has raised and to implement the outcomes of recent bilateral trade talks.
He characterized ongoing frictions as a normal byproduct of the scale of U.S.-China commercial ties, one that could be managed through consultation and mutual respect.
The appeal comes at a delicate moment for the relationship.
It follows a warning last week from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who told G20 counterparts he would press member states to re-examine trade terms with Beijing, calling China's $1.2 trillion global trade surplus unsustainable, arguing that Beijing is leaning on exports to offset a weakening domestic economy.
Chinese officials have not directly rebutted the figure but have consistently pushed back on characterisations of the country's growth model as export-dependent, instead pointing to what they describe as resilient and expanding domestic demand.
The overture to U.S. businesses also comes ahead of a consequential diplomatic window as Xi is expected to travel to Washington later this month for a potential meeting with President Trump, while the current U.S.-China trade and export control truce is due to expire in November.
Both sides have used the run-up to reiterate familiar positions with Beijing emphasising market access and openness and Washington pressing on the trade deficit and unresolved issues such as export controls and rare-earth commitments.
Li's meeting with the Business Council shows a pattern seen throughout the year.
When Trump's own business delegation visited Beijing in May, both Xi and Li made similar appeals to American executives to deepen their footprint in China, with Li stressing that a "stable and predictable" economic relationship serves both countries. That visit followed talks between Xi and Trump aimed at setting what officials called a strategic direction for the relationship.
This week's remarks could potentially translate into eased tensions, but it does depend less on rhetoric and more on the specifics still under negotiation, like tariff levels, export-control rules on advanced technology, and the rare-earth and critical-minerals commitments that have become a persistent sticking point in bilateral talks.
Iran’s central bank governor has sought to reassure the country’s financial markets, saying Tehran has enough foreign currency reserves...
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. p...
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on American companies to expand their presence in China and pledged that Beijing would address their "reas...
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have gathered in Bishkek for a summit focused on trade, investment and transport as the group marks 25 years since its creation.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Jordan in the first direct U.S.-Iran military escalation in weeks.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
Apple is entering a new era as Tim Cook steps down as chief executive after 15 years at the helm, handing the technology giant's leadership to longtime executive John Ternus.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 1st September, covering the latest developments.
Volkswagen is heading towards a decisive showdown with labour representatives as Germany's largest carmaker weighs sweeping restructuring measures that could lead to factory closures and tens of thousands of job losses.
Online fast-fashion retailer Shein is seeking to raise up to $1.77 billion in a Hong Kong IPO after its valuation fell around 70 per cent from its private-market peak four years ago.
Kazakhstan has received a fresh vote of confidence in its economy after S&P Global Ratings upgraded the country’s credit rating, citing stronger public finances, solid reserves and steady economic growth.
AnewZ Business Europe, a new weekday programme, takes viewers inside companies driving growth and innovation across the continent, with Brickken CEO Edwin Mata joining the programme for its first episode with host Chief Global Editor Guy Shone. The show airs every Friday.
Once associated mainly with Muslim-majority countries, Islamic finance has become a global industry. Its assets reached around $5.98 trillion in 2024, according to ICD-LSEG, as more countries explore Shariah-compliant finance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment