Chinese Premier Li Qiang says he’s confident China’s economy will keep growing in 2025, even after the U.S. announced steep new tariffs on Chinese products.
Speaking at the National People’s Congress, Li said China aims for about 5% economic growth this year. He said China can overcome challenges through hard work and leadership. His message comes just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump, imposed new tariffs—some over 100%—on Chinese electric vehicles and other goods.
Despite the rising tensions, Li stressed that China’s economy remains strong and open to the world.
At the same time, Li held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to mark 50 years of China-EU relations. During the call, von der Leyen asked China to help support a stable and fair global trading system.
The EU is worried that the U.S. tariffs could push Chinese companies to sell more goods in Europe at lower prices, which might hurt local businesses. Von der Leyen and Li discussed ways to track and manage these changes in trade to protect European markets.
The EU is trying to balance its relationship with China. While it wants to avoid over-relying on Chinese imports, it also sees China as a key player in solving global economic problems.
Li’s recent comments and call with von der Leyen show that China wants to keep trade flowing and avoid further conflicts.
