In the middle of the trade conflict of the USA with China And Europe promoted Chinese head of state XI Jinping (71) in front of CEO of international groups for his country. In the large hall of the people in Beijing, XI received, among other things SiemensBoss Roland Busch (60), Mercedes Benz-Id boss Ola Källenius (55) as well BMW-The boss Oliver Zipse (61) -but also the group link from Samsung, Lee Jae Yong (56), Thyssenkrupp-Ceo Miguel Ángel López Borrego (60) and US hedge fund manager Ray Dalio (75).
“Investing in China means investing in the future,” XI advertised. Foreign companies are an important part of China’s modernization: “China is now the largest market in the world for companies such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.”
Based on the Trading duties From US President Donald Trump (78) said XI: “Some countries build small gardens with high walls by building up duty barriers and politicizing and exploiting economic and trade issues.” Companies could be forced to choose one side. That would in turn stand in the way of the trend towards open markets. “Together we have to protect the stability of the global industry and retail chains,” said the head of state.
China continues its charm offensive. The second largest economy in the world wants to again become a more attractive location for foreign companies. In 2024, direct investments from abroad decreased as much as it has not been since 2008. Some companies also changed their strategy and built up a second mainstay outside the People’s Republic in order to be less dependent on China.
XI emphasized that they had campaigned for more exchange and the protection of the rights of foreign companies. He hoped that most foreign companies took their doubts and took advantage of China’s development opportunities, said the 71 -year -old chairman of the Communist Party.
Beijing wants to create trust again
Already last weekend dozens of CEOs from companies such as Apple, BMW, Mercedes, Siemens and managers from the tech and pharmaceutical industry in Beijing. Prime Minister Li Qiang (65) praised the success of the People’s Republic, for example in the area artificial intelligence
and promised open markets and other reforms.
China is extremely important for many companies because of the size of its market. German carmakers who had done good business in the Far East for years had to Coronapandemic Accept the setbacks from increased Chinese competition and weak demand in Germany. Most recently, German car brands closed partnerships with Chinese tech giants like Alibaba, to stay competitive in China.
Due to the economic pressure of US tariffs under President Trump, China could now use a gap and expand his relationships with Europe. But the relationship between China and the EU is also tense with tariffs.
Overcapacity and tariffs should therefore also be an issue this week when visiting EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic (58). In advance, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China from Sefcovic called for problems for European companies, such as the trade deficit and the difficult access to public tenders.