Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday warned that protectionism and trade wars offer no solutions, as he kicked off a tour of Southeast Asia aimed at strengthening regional economic ties.
In an article published in Vietnam's Nhan Dan newspaper, Xi called on nations to protect the multilateral trading system and maintain stable global supply chains. He stressed that "a trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere," according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Xi’s tour — his first overseas trip of the year — includes stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The trip comes as China seeks to deepen trade ties and counter the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Vietnam, China’s top Southeast Asian trading partner, imported $161.9 billion in Chinese goods in 2024, while Malaysia followed with $101.5 billion. Xi is visiting Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday, marking his first trip there since December 2023.
While China and Vietnam enjoy strong economic ties, tensions remain over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Xi, however, emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving such issues and maintaining regional peace.
His visit underscores Beijing's efforts to portray itself as a reliable global partner amid mounting geopolitical uncertainties.
In an article published in Vietnam's Nhan Dan newspaper, Xi called on nations to protect the multilateral trading system and maintain stable global supply chains. He stressed that "a trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere," according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Xi’s tour — his first overseas trip of the year — includes stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The trip comes as China seeks to deepen trade ties and counter the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Vietnam, China’s top Southeast Asian trading partner, imported $161.9 billion in Chinese goods in 2024, while Malaysia followed with $101.5 billion. Xi is visiting Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday, marking his first trip there since December 2023.
While China and Vietnam enjoy strong economic ties, tensions remain over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Xi, however, emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving such issues and maintaining regional peace.
His visit underscores Beijing's efforts to portray itself as a reliable global partner amid mounting geopolitical uncertainties.
