Merkel, Li Hail Trade Ties as Trump Pursues Protectionism
Source: Bloomberg
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke out in favor of closer trade ties, signaling a global alliance opposed to the protectionist agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Li and Merkel talked by phone on Wednesday and addressed bilateral and multilateral issues, according to German government spokesman Steffen Seibert. He said that Li accepted the chancellors invitation to visit Germany for more comprehensive talks on economic and trade issues.
The two spoke in favor of free trade and a stable world trade order, Seibert said in a statement. He added that the negotiations over a European-Chinese investment accord should come to a successful completion quickly.
The call between the leaders of the worlds No. 1 and No. 3 exporters suggests global battle lines are being drawn over free trade just as Trump scraps a long-negotiated trade pact with Pacific nations and escalates protectionist rhetoric. A showdown may come in July this year, when Merkel hosts a summit of Group of 20 leaders in the port city of Hamburg, gateway to the world for German high-end goods from Siemens machinery to BASF chemicals and the entry point for more Chinese goods than anywhere else in Europe.
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Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-01-26/merkel-li-push-eu-china-trade-ties-as-trump-lauds-protectionism
Freethinker65
(10,048 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)Madame Merkel has earned my respect by her public handling of "allegations" the US was spying on her. A real class act, imo.
As for the Premier, I offer my most sincere respect, with reservations based on actions. My promise to never forget ai weiwei remains.
titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)When do the US CEOs start standing up against the orange buffoon? Really the only people the right will listen to are the money bags and lobbyists. At some point they will realize "Oh shit this might kill our businesses moving forward."
As much as I don't like Pence at least I think he would be a little more stable if the oompa loompa got impeached.