China’s Li Qiang bluntly warned that tariff policies are creating increasingly clear, self-harming consequences for the global economy, a point he emphasized during a high-profile dialogue in Beijing that brought together leaders from the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO.
Speaking at the “1+10 Dialogue,” Li—China’s premier and the second-highest ranking official—without naming U.S. President Donald Trump, urged a broader effort to reform global economic governance in the face of ongoing trade barriers. He argued that the threat of tariffs has cast a long shadow over international commerce since the start of the year.
Amid the discussion, Li linked tariff dynamics to broader trade shifts, noting that China’s trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion in November. Economists suggest this surge coincides with tariffs led by the United States that redirected shipments away from China toward alternative markets, thereby affecting manufacturing sectors in those countries.
Li also highlighted artificial intelligence as becoming central to trade, pointing to models like China’s DeepSeek as engines of transformation for traditional industries and as catalysts for growth in new areas such as smart robotics and wearable technology.
Reporters: Joe Cash; Editor: Sam Holmes
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