China’s Premier, Li Keqiang, Praises Free Trade, in Contrast to Trump
“When we sprain an ankle when walking on the road, we should not blame the road and stop walking,” Mr. Li said, later adding
that “in international economic relations, one should not impose unilateral rules.”
“Only in this way can we achieve free and fair trade.”
President Trump vehemently denounced the state of trade with China
and other countries during the election campaign, blaming it for widespread job losses among American manufacturing workers.
By KEITH BRADSHERJUNE 27, 2017
DALIAN, China — Premier Li Keqiang of China reaffirmed on Tuesday his country’s desire to be seen as the world’s new leader in globalization and free trade,
but he offered no specifics on how China might lower its own trade barriers, which are among the steepest of any large country.
But since taking office, Mr. Trump has focused more on non-China subjects, such as withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement among a group of Asian and Pacific nations
that did not include China, and starting a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Mr. Li also addressed two other subjects of broad economic interest during his keynote speech: financial risks in China,
and the country’s long but gradual slowing of economic growth.
Without naming the United States or the Trump administration, he also said that it was wrong to blame free trade for economic or social problems.