China defends Asia-Pacific trade after Trump threat
President Xi Jinping vows to "push to build an Asia-Pacific free-trade zone and an open world economy"
China's President Xi Jinping. PHOTO: AFP
SANTIAGO:
China's President Xi Jinping vowed to strengthen world trade in the face of US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to pull out of a key trans-Pacific accord.
Speaking on a visit to Chile on Tuesday, he vowed to "push to build an Asia-Pacific free-trade zone and an open world economy."
Trump on Monday vowed to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact on his first day in the White House.
China state media warn Trump against renouncing free trade deals
On the last stop of a tour to strengthen trade ties in Latin America, Xi said he and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet agreed to join in a "full strategic relationship."
They expanded their countries' existing free trade agreement and signed 12 cooperation agreements.
"To drive the long-term development of bilateral ties, we have decided to enhance our bilateral relations to a strategic relationship and open a new page in ties between Chine and Chile," Xi told a news conference.
Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader, stresses 'One China'
Chile is the world's biggest copper producer and the second-largest producer of salmon.
China is its biggest trade partner, receiving a quarter of all Chilean exports last year.
Xi also signed 18 new agreements with Peru on Monday.
China's President Xi Jinping vowed to strengthen world trade in the face of US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to pull out of a key trans-Pacific accord.
Speaking on a visit to Chile on Tuesday, he vowed to "push to build an Asia-Pacific free-trade zone and an open world economy."
Trump on Monday vowed to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact on his first day in the White House.
China state media warn Trump against renouncing free trade deals
On the last stop of a tour to strengthen trade ties in Latin America, Xi said he and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet agreed to join in a "full strategic relationship."
They expanded their countries' existing free trade agreement and signed 12 cooperation agreements.
"To drive the long-term development of bilateral ties, we have decided to enhance our bilateral relations to a strategic relationship and open a new page in ties between Chine and Chile," Xi told a news conference.
Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader, stresses 'One China'
Chile is the world's biggest copper producer and the second-largest producer of salmon.
China is its biggest trade partner, receiving a quarter of all Chilean exports last year.
Xi also signed 18 new agreements with Peru on Monday.