Copyright kyodonews
NEW YORK - Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday warned that the risks of higher tariffs denting global economic growth have risen, in a veiled criticism of the United States, calling in a U.N. speech for the international community to reject unilateralism and protectionism. To achieve sustained economic development, Li told the U.N. General Assembly in New York, "self-isolation" is not the answer, and the only right way to move forward will be to pursue "openness and cooperation." "A major cause of the current global economic doldrums is the rise in unilateral and protectionist measures such as tariff hikes and the erection of walls and barriers," Li said, without naming the United States. He claimed that China has continuously opened its door wider to the world, noting that it has cut its overall tariff level to 7.3 percent and remained the world's second-largest importer for 16 consecutive years. Portraying China as a key guardian of the global order built over the last 80 years since the end of World War II, he cautioned against the revival of "unilateralism and Cold-War mentality." The Chinese premier's remarks came despite economic tensions with the United States easing gradually and both sides preparing for an in-person meeting of their top leaders due to be held in about a month. A day earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that he has "great respect" for Chinese President Xi Jinping and praised him for approving the sale of TikTok's operations to a coalition of American investors. Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to greenlight the popular Chinese short-form video app to continue operating in the United States, saying there would no longer be worries about national security after the divestiture. A week ago, Trump held his second phone call with Xi since returning to the White House in January. He said that during the call, Xi approved the TikTok deal and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum starting Oct. 31 in South Korea. Following the call, Trump also said he plans to visit China in early 2026 and Xi will reciprocate with a U.S. visit at "an appropriate time." Earlier this year, Sino-U.S. tensions were at a boiling point with the restart of Trump's trade war with Beijing in his second administration. However, the two sides announced an agreement in May to temporarily roll back tit-for-tat tariffs -- which had reached triple-digit rates -- on each other's goods, and senior officials from Washington and Beijing have been in regular contact since then. The annual economic conference of Asia-Pacific leaders will take place days before the scheduled expiration of a tariff truce between the United States and China that was extended by another 90 days in August. Despite the relaxation of strained relations and the delicacy of the moment as officials prepare for the first Trump-Xi summit since 2019, Li's address to the United Nations on Friday was full of apparent swipes at the United States. In his nearly hourlong speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump issued a broad range of insults, including criticizing the world body itself as well as countries that recognized a Palestinian state, while referring to climate change as the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world." Li, in stark contrast, said China will work with all other members of the international community "to uphold the standing and authority of the United Nations." He also said global warming is "a major challenge confronting all of us."
