"China is showcasing itself as a solid business and trading partner to traditional allies of the United States and others who have been alienated by President Donald Trump's politics, and some of them appear ready for a reset. Since the start of 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping has received South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Irish leader Micheal Martin."
"Among these visitors, five are treaty allies of the US, but all have been hit over the past year by the Trump administration's reciprocal trade tariffs, as well as additional duties on key exports like steel, aluminium, autos and auto parts. Canada, Finland, Germany and the UK found themselves in a NATO standoff with Trump this month over his desire to annex Greenland and threats that he would impose additional tariffs on eight European countries he said were standing in his way, including the UK and Finland. Trump has since backed down from this threat."
"As Trump told world leaders that the US had become the hottest country, anywhere in the world thanks to surging investment and tariff revenues, and Europe would do much better to follow the US lead, Chinese Vice Premier Li Hefeng's speech emphasised China's ongoing support for multilateralism and free trade. While economic globalisation is not perfect and may cause some problems, we cannot completely reject it and retreat t"
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on a three-day visit to Beijing seeking renewed ties and trade deals. China is positioning itself as a reliable business and trading partner to traditional US allies and countries alienated by President Donald Trump's policies. Since early 2026, Xi Jinping has hosted leaders from South Korea, Canada, Finland and Ireland. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to visit China in late February. Several visitors are treaty allies of the US who faced reciprocal US trade tariffs and extra duties on steel, aluminium, autos and parts. Chinese officials emphasised support for multilateralism and free trade at Davos.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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