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Threats And Blackmail Are Not The Right Way To Deal With China

2025/4/14 15:43:00 0

　　 The Ministry of Commerce will hold a regular press conference at 15:00 on Thursday, April 10, 2025. He Yong, Deputy Director of the Coordination Department of Free Trade Zone Port Construction of the Ministry of Commerce and press spokesman, attended the meeting to introduce relevant information and answer questions from the media.

　　 The following is the transcript of the press conference

　　 He Yongqian

　　 Dear journalists

　　 Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. I have no information to report to you today.

　　 Now please ask questions.

　　 China Securities Journal reporter

　　 Recently, we have noticed that many supermarket enterprises have issued open letters to China's high-quality supply chain, proposing to open a "green channel" for enterprises whose exports are blocked and their inventories are overstocked, provide convenient channels, and help enterprises improve their awareness of the domestic market and develop new products. How does the Ministry of Commerce evaluate this? What measures will the Ministry of Commerce take to help foreign trade enterprises expand domestic sales?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 First of all, I would like to emphasize that recently, the United States announced, under various pretexts, that it had abused tariffs on all trading partners, including China, which seriously violated the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and seriously impacted the stability of the global economic order. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this.

　　 As the world's second largest economy and the second largest commodity consumption market, in the face of US hegemony tariffs, we will unswervingly promote high-level opening up, unswervingly follow our own development path, and inject more certainty into the global economy with our own stable development.

　　 The Ministry of Commerce firmly implements the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, steadily promotes the integration of domestic and foreign trade, continues to hold the "China Travel of Foreign Trade Products" activity, builds a platform for foreign trade enterprises to expand domestic sales, increases the assistance to foreign trade enterprises in market access, channel development, finance, service guarantee and other aspects, and promotes the docking of domestic and foreign trade channels, brand docking Production and marketing connection and standard connection.

　　 Recently, the Ministry of Commerce has organized a forum for relevant business associations, large supermarkets and circulation enterprises to study how to give better play to their respective advantages and help foreign trade enterprises expand domestic sales channels. The practice of relevant supermarkets is a typical epitome of many industry associations and commercial enterprises in China defending the right to development with practical actions.

　　 On April 13, the launching ceremony of the "China Travel for Foreign Trade Excellence" will also be held in Hainan, welcoming more domestic trade circulation enterprises to cooperate with foreign trade enterprises, better give play to the advantages of the super large domestic market, and jointly respond to external shocks. thank you.

　　 Voice of Vietnam reporter

　　 Could you please introduce the current situation of China Vietnam economic, trade and investment cooperation, and what is the future prospect of China Vietnam economic and trade cooperation?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 In recent years, China Vietnam economic and trade cooperation has developed steadily. Here I have a set of data to share with you: since 2004, China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner, and since 2016, Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner in ASEAN. The bilateral trade volume between China and Vietnam has exceeded $200 billion for four consecutive years, reaching $260.65 billion in 2024, an increase of 13.5% year on year. Vietnam is an important overseas investment destination for China. In 2024, Chinese enterprises will invest more than 2.5 billion dollars in Vietnam, maintaining a rapid growth.

　　 We are willing to work with Vietnam to earnestly implement a series of important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries on continuing to deepen the building of a strategic China Vietnam community of common destiny, promote the improvement and upgrading of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and better benefit the two peoples. thank you.

　　 Reporter of American International Market News Agency

　　 What policies will MOFCOM implement to help export enterprises mitigate the negative impact of trade tariffs?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 Since this year, the risks and challenges facing China's foreign trade development have increased significantly, but the majority of foreign trade enterprises have been brave in pioneering and innovating, China's foreign trade resilience has not decreased, and imports and exports have achieved a smooth start.

　　 The United States has abused tariff measures against China, seriously violated China's legitimate rights and interests, curbed bilateral trade, and had a negative impact on China's foreign trade enterprises. We will unswervingly handle our own affairs and hedge the "uncertainty" of the external environment with China's "certainty". We will help foreign trade enterprises whose exports are blocked to explore the domestic market, make good use of the old for the new policy of consumer goods, run a series of activities such as a trip to China for high-quality foreign trade products, and deepen the integration of domestic and foreign trade. We can see that the potential of China's super large market continues to be released, and the policy of stabilizing the economy and foreign trade continues to work. China's foreign trade has confidence and confidence to cope with various risks and challenges. thank you.

　　 Southern Metropolis Daily reporter

　　 The 5th China International Consumer Goods Expo will be held on April 13. How about the preparations? What are the considerations of the Ministry of Commerce in expanding consumption in the next step?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 On April 13, the 5th China International Consumer Goods Expo will be launched in Hainan. At present, all preparatory work has been basically completed, domestic and foreign exhibitors have actively participated, more than 4100 brands from 71 countries and regions have confirmed their participation, and 65 of the world's top 500 and leading enterprises have participated in the exhibition, all of which are more than the previous ones.

　　 As for the consumption expansion work you mentioned, recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Special Action Plan for Boosting Consumption. The Ministry of Commerce will earnestly implement it, focus on four aspects, and organize all work.

　　 First, highlight "aftermarket expansion, high-quality products". Upgrade commodity consumption, expand the scope of consumer goods to trade in old products for new ones, promote consumption of high-quality foreign trade products, and cultivate new consumption growth points such as "trendy products" of domestic goods and automobile aftermarket.

　　 The second is to highlight "opening up to the outside world and opening up to the inside". We will implement actions to improve the quality of service consumption and benefit the people, increase the supply of quality services, expand consumption in key areas such as home economics and catering, and open more Yinfa tourist trains to better meet the new needs of residents for service consumption.

　　 The third is to highlight "first innovation and digital intelligence empowerment". We will actively promote the first economy, implement special actions to promote healthy consumption, develop digital, green and intelligent consumption, and foster more new consumption drivers.

　　 Fourth, highlight "urban-rural linkage, optimization and upgrading". We will promote the transformation and quality improvement of urban and rural commerce, improve the urban and rural commercial circulation system, carry out a series of activities to "buy in China", deepen the construction of an international consumption center city, optimize tax refund services for departure, and release more new consumption vitality.

　　 The above mentioned measures to expand consumption will also be reflected in this Consumer Expo. The series of activities of "Buy in China", the special exhibition of foreign trade products and the time-honored brand "Treasure of Town Stores" will be held during the Consumer Expo. The new consumer technology exhibition area set up for the first time in this Consumer Expo will focus on the display of new products and technologies such as smart connected cars and smart homes, Bring more new scenes of green and intelligent consumption to consumers.

　　 Media friends are welcome to experience, interview and report at the Consumer Expo. thank you.

　　 Reuters reporter

　　 US President Trump said that China hopes to reach an agreement, but does not know how to start. After the imposition of tariffs again yesterday, has China started negotiations with the United States?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 China's position is clear and consistent. The door is open for talks, but dialogue must be conducted in an equal manner on the basis of mutual respect. The Chinese side will also accompany the fight to the end. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China. It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other head on and properly resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. thank you.

　　 CNBC reporter

　　 I have three questions. First, if products from the United States enter the Chinese market through the free trade pilot zone, will they not be affected by the new tariffs this year? Second, Trump said on Monday that he would end all exchanges with China on bilateral talks. How does the Ministry of Commerce respond? Whether the previous economic and trade related exchange plan continues? Finally, on Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce said that "if the US side is determined, the Chinese side will follow through." What measures does "follow through" include? Does it include the substantial tariff increase on American soybeans, sorghum and other agricultural products/prohibition on the export of American poultry to China?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 On your first question, the pilot free trade zone is a comprehensive experimental platform for reform and opening up independently established by the Chinese government. Since its establishment, the Pilot Free Trade Zone has always adhered to institutional innovation as the core and high-level opening up as the guide, launched a large number of basic and groundbreaking reform and opening up measures, took the lead in creating a market-oriented, rule of law and international first-class business environment, and explored paths and accumulated experience for comprehensively deepening reform and expanding opening up.

　　 The current bonded policy for special regulatory areas in the pilot free trade zone remains unchanged. According to relevant regulations, when commodities leave relevant special regulatory areas for domestic market, they shall pay corresponding taxes.

　　 On your second question, China's attitude is consistent and clear: open the door when talking; Fight to the end. China is willing to properly resolve differences with the United States through equal dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect. However, dialogue has principles and consultation has a bottom line. Pressure and threats are not the right way to deal with China and are not conducive to solving problems. The US side should correct wrong practices and create atmosphere and conditions for equal dialogue and consultation between the two sides.

　　 On your third question, I have reiterated China's position many times and made it very clear. We don't cause trouble, nor are we afraid of it. The legitimate right to development of the Chinese people and the people of the world cannot be deprived, and the sovereign security and development interests of China and other countries in the world cannot be violated. thank you.

　　 Journalist from Dubai China Arab Satellite TV

　　 Trump announced that he would impose a 90 day tariff suspension on countries that did not take retaliatory action, but raised tariffs on China to 125%, which may even reach 150%. Will China continue to impose higher tariffs on American products?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 I can't comment on your hypothetical question at present. But I want to emphasize that there is no winner in the trade war and there is no way out for protectionism. If the US side is determined, the Chinese side will follow through. We will never accept the extreme pressure and bullying of the US side and will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests. thank you.

　　 Red Star News Reporter

　　 It is reported that the American Chamber of Commerce is considering suing the Trump government to cancel the unreasonable tariff measures recently introduced. How does the Ministry of Commerce evaluate this?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 We have noted that the United States and the international community have expressed extensive opposition to the US "reciprocal tariff" measures. China urges the US to cancel unilateral tariff measures as soon as possible and return to the right track of properly resolving differences through equal dialogue. thank you.

　　 Bloomberg reporter

　　 I have two questions. A few days ago, it was reported that if the US tariff escalation measures were implemented, China has prepared at least six major moves, including significantly increasing tariffs on US soybeans, sorghum and other agricultural products, prohibiting the export of US poultry to China, and suspending Sino US fentanyl cooperation. How does the Ministry of Commerce comment on this? The second question is that US President Trump said that China's countermeasures were a mistake. Do you agree with him? Or do you think Trump's initial tariff was a mistake?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 I have already responded to both of your questions. I want to emphasize that recently, the United States has announced, under various pretexts, that it has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, including China, in serious violation of international rules and fairness and justice. The Chinese government, together with relevant economies in the world, strongly condemns and firmly opposes. The US cannot solve the problem by exerting pressure and threats, and should return to the track of fair dialogue. China has taken and will continue to resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own sovereign security and development interests. thank you.

　　 Reporter of South China Morning Post

　　 Has China and the United States had direct communication on trade issues in recent days?

　　 He Yongqian

　　 I have just responded to your question. What I want to emphasize is that China's position is clear and consistent. The door is open for talks, but dialogue must be conducted in an equal manner on the basis of mutual respect. The Chinese side will also accompany the fight to the end. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China. thank you.