China's Li urges not to turn trade into a political or security issue

TIANJIN, China — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called on other countries to collaborate on trade, despite rising tariffs and other barriers.

“Globalization will not be reversed,” he said through an official English translation, as he called on all sides not to turn trade into a political or security issue.

Engaging in the international economy is a way of “reshaping the rules and order,” Li added, calling on countries to keep to the “right” path.

Li did not comment specifically on U.S. tensions or the Israel-Iran conflict. He was speaking at the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum’s annual conference in China, often dubbed “Summer Davos.”

Describing Li’s comment on “reshaping the rules and order” as “very interesting,” Adam Tooze, professor of history at Columbia University, said: “I think what we’re going to see is a pluralization.”