Li Qiang Pledges Wider Opening as China Seeks to Defuse Surplus Scrutiny and Trade Frictions
At the China Development Forum on 22 Mar 2026, Premier Li Qiang said China would expand the global 'trade pie' through higher-level opening up and increased imports, while criticizing unilateralism and protectionism. The message comes as China’s early-year trade growth outpaces forecasts amid weak domestic consumption, renewed tariff pressures, and rising energy-security risks tied to Middle East conflict.