Chinese President Xi Jinping offered a defense of globalization at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, delivering a strong critique of the protectionist movement endorsed by Western leaders such as President-elect Donald Trump.
“No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war,” Xi said, to applause from the international audience of corporate leaders, heads of state and other dignitaries.
“It is true that economic globalization has created new problems, but this is no justification to write off economic globalization altogether,” Xi said, speaking through a translator. “We must remain committed to developing free trade and investment, promoting liberalization and facilitation through opening up, and saying no to protectionism.”
For observers in Washington, Xi’s appearance in Davos suggested a claim to the kind of international economic stewardship that Trump has rejected.
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