BEIJING (AP) – China’s No. 2 leader said Wednesday his government hopes for positive relations with Washington and has no desire for a trade war nor plans to devalue its currency to boost exports.
Speaking at an annual news conference, Premier Li Keqiang emphasized the shared interests of the world’s two biggest economies. He said they should “uphold strategic interests.”
U.S. President Donald Trump promised to raise import taxes on Chinese goods to counter what he says are unfair practices by Beijing. That has prompted warnings China might retaliate, disrupting one of the world’s biggest trading relationships.
“We don’t wish to see a trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldn’t make our trade fairer,” said Li. He noted American companies also would be hurt.
Officials of the two countries are discussing a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the premier said at the event held after the close of the national legislature’s annual meeting.