China’s Vice Commerce Minister, Ling Ji, reassured U.S. companies, including prominent names like Tesla and GE Healthcare, that the Chinese government would continue to protect the rights of foreign-funded businesses in China. Ling emphasized during a roundtable meeting in Beijing that China remains a favorable environment for foreign investment, citing its status as an “ideal, safe, and promising investment ground.” This statement was made amidst rising trade tensions, particularly with the United States, and aimed at ensuring foreign companies that their interests would be safeguarded.
Ling’s comments are significant as they come in the context of an escalating tariff war between the U.S. and China, which has been exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies. Ling, who also serves as China’s deputy trade negotiator, stressed that Beijing has no intention of penalizing U.S. firms despite the broader trade conflict. The Chinese government reiterated its stance that it would protect the “legitimate rights and interests” of foreign companies operating within its borders.
Further backing this position, China’s Ministry of Commerce highlighted its commitment to resolving issues faced by foreign-funded enterprises in China. Ling also criticized the U.S. for what he described as the “abuse of tariffs,” which he believes has harmed the multilateral trading system and exacerbated global trade disputes. According to him, the root cause of the ongoing tariff issues lies with U.S. policies.
This sentiment was echoed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent address, where he underscored the vital role foreign companies play in China’s economy. Xi pointed out that foreign firms are responsible for one-third of China’s imports and exports and have contributed to the creation of over 30 million jobs, highlighting their importance to the country’s continued growth and global industry stability.
Source: Reuters