China digs in for trade ‘struggles’ as Beijing eyes dual strategy of growth and resilience
Analysts see leadership’s language after central economic work conference as an admission that trade tensions are expected to endure
After witnessing the effects of a tumultuous trade war with the United States this year, China’s top leaders have issued a directive to fortify the domestic economy against persistent or even heightened trade frictions.
Analysts said the use of the word “struggles” suggests Beijing has assessed that trade frictions could endure and expand beyond the US, including with other partners such as the European Union.
“Although ‘stabilising foreign trade’ and ‘stabilising foreign investment’ have been addressed to varying degrees each year … their importance and urgency [in 2026] remain no less significant than in 2025,” said economists led by Lian Ping, chairman of the China Chief Economists Forum, in a Friday note.