He Yongqian: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. I have no announcement to make today.

The floor is open.

China Securities: Recently, we noticed that many supermarket brands have issued open letters to companies of China’s high-quality supply chains. They proposed opening “green channels” to provide convenience for enterprises facing inventory backlogs due to export barriers, help them enhance popularity in the domestic market, and develop new products. How does the Ministry of Commerce evaluate this? What measures will the Ministry of Commerce take next to help foreign trade enterprises expand domestic sales?

He Yongqian: First, I would like to emphasize that recently, the U.S. has arbitrarily imposed tariffs on all trading partners including China under various pretexts. This seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and severely disrupts the stability of the global economic order. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this.

China is the world’s second-largest economy and the second-largest consumer goods market. Facing U.S. bullying tariffs, China will steadfastly advance high-level opening-up and steadfastly pursue its own path of development. Through its steady development, China will provide more certainty for the world economy.

The Ministry of Commerce resolutely implements the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and steadily promotes the integration of domestic and foreign trade We continue to organize activities such as “Premium Exports Homebound”, build platforms for foreign trade enterprises to tap domestic market, and provide greater support in areas such as market access, channel development, fiscal and financial assistance, and service guarantees. This will facilitate the integration of domestic and foreign trade in terms of channels, brands, production and sales, and standards.

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce organized discussions with relevant industry associations, large supermarkets, and distribution enterprises to study how to play their roles in helping foreign trade enterprises broaden their domestic sales channels. The actions of these supermarkets are a typical example of how Chinese industry associations and commercial enterprises are defending their development rights through concrete actions.

On April 13, the launch ceremony of “Premium Exports Homebound” will be held in Hainan. We welcome more domestic commerce and distribution enterprises to collaborate with foreign trade enterprises, fully leveraging the advantages of China’s super-large domestic market to jointly respond to external shocks. Thank you.

The Voice of Vietnam: Could you please introduce the current state of China-Vietnam economic, trade and investment cooperation? What are the prospects for future economic and trade cooperation between the two countries?

He Yongqian: In recent years, China-Vietnam economic and trade cooperation has developed steadily. I would like to share some data: China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004, and Vietnam has been China's largest trading partner in ASEAN since 2016. Bilateral trade between China and Vietnam has exceeded 200 billion USD for four consecutive years, reaching 260.65 billion USD in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 13.5%. Vietnam is an important overseas investment destination for China. In 2024, direct investment made by Chinese enterprises in Vietnam reached over 2.5 billion USD, maintaining rapid growth.

We are ready to work with Vietnam to implement the series of important common understandings reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries on deepening the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. We aim to upgrade the quality of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and bring more benefits to the people of both countries. Thank you.

Market News International: What policies will the Ministry of Commerce adopt to help export enterprises mitigate the negative impacts of trade tariffs?

He Yongqian: This year, the risks and challenges faced by China’s foreign trade development have significantly increased. However, a vast number of foreign trade enterprises are undeterred and active in innovation. China’s foreign trade remains resilient, achieving a steady start in imports and exports.

The arbitrary imposition of tariffs by the U.S. seriously infringes upon China’s legitimate rights and interests, suppresses bilateral trade, and negatively impacts China’s foreign trade enterprises. China will unswervingly focus on handling its own affairs well, using China’s “certainty” to counteract the “uncertainty” of the external environment. We will help foreign trade enterprises facing export barriers expand the domestic market, make good use of policies like consumer goods trade-ins, organize events such as “Premium Exports Homebound”, and deepen the integration of domestic and foreign trade. China’s super-large market potential is being continuously unleashed, and steady economic and trade policies are being implemented successively. China's foreign trade has the confidence and assurance to face various risks and challenges. Thank you.

Southern Metropolis Daily: The 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) will be held on April 13. Could you please introduce the preparation? What are the Ministry of Commerce’s plans for boosting consumption in the future?

He Yongqian: On April 13, the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo will kick off in Hainan. Currently, all preparatory work has been largely completed, with enthusiastic participation from domestic and international exhibitors. Over 4,100 brands from 71 countries and regions have confirmed their participation, and 65 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading enterprises will exhibit, surpassing previous editions in numbers.

Regarding your question about boosting consumption, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council recently issued the Special Action Plan for Boosting Consumption. The Ministry of Commerce will implement it comprehensively and redouble efforts in four aspects.

First, we focus on expanding the consumer goods trade-in program and upgrading the quality of products. We improve goods consumption, expand the scope of the consumer goods trade-in program, promote the consumption of high-quality foreign trade products, and cultivate new consumption growth drivers such as Chinese trendy domestic products and the automotive aftermarket.

Second, we lift market access restrictions and expand the domestic market. We take measures to improve service consumption, increase the supply of high-quality services, expand consumption in key areas like housekeeping and catering, and expand silver tourism train services to better meet residents’ new demands for service consumption.

Third, we highlight debut innovation and digital empowerment. We actively encourage the development of the debut economy, implement special actions to promote healthy consumption, and develop digital, green, and smart consumption to foster new momentum of consumption.

Fourth, we strengthen urban-rural linkage and step up efforts to make improvements. We promote the transition and upgrading of urban and rural commerce, improve the urban-rural commerce and circulation system, hold the “Buy in China” series of activities, deepen the construction of international consumption center cities, and optimize tax refund services for departing foreigners so as to unleash more consumption vitality.

The above measures to boost consumption will also be reflected in the 2025 CICPE. Events such as the “Buy in China”, “Premium Exports Homebound” and thematic displays of heritage collections of China’s time-honored brands will be held during the CICPE. For the first time, the CICPE has established a new consumption technology exhibition area, which will showcase new products and technologies such as intelligent connected vehicles and smart home, bringing more green and intelligent consumption scenarios to consumers.

We welcome friends from the media to visit the CICPE for reporting. Thank you.

Reuters: U.S. President Trump said that China wants to reach an agreement but doesn’t know how to start. After yesterday’s additional tariffs, has China begun negotiations with the U.S.?

He Yongqian: China’s position is clear and consistent. If you want to talk, our door is wide open, but dialogue must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality. If you want to fight, we’ll fight till the end. Pressure, threats, and coercion are not the right ways to deal with China. We hope the U.S. will work with China, adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and address differences properly through dialogue and consultation. Thank you.

CNBC: I have three questions. First, if U.S. products enter the Chinese market through Pilot Free Trade Zones, will they be exempt from the additional tariffs imposed this year? Second, Trump stated on Monday that he would end all communication regarding talks with China. What is the Ministry of Commerce’s response? Will previous planned economic and trade communication continue? Third, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday “If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will fight till the end”. What measures does “fight till the end” include? Does it involve tariff hikes on U.S. agricultural products such as soybean and sorghum or banning U.S. poultry imports?

He Yongqian: Regarding your first question, The FTZs are a comprehensive pilot platform for reform and opening up independently established by the Chinese government. Since its establishment, the pilot FTZs have consistently adhered to institutional innovation as its core, guided by high-standard opening up, and has introduced a large number of foundational and pioneering reform and opening up measures, taking the lead in creating a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, and exploring paths and accumulating experience for the comprehensive deepening of reform and the expansion of opening up.

The existing bonded policies in the special regulatory areas within the FTZs will remain unchanged. However, in accordance with relevant regulations, when goods leave these special regulatory areas and enter the domestic market for sale, the corresponding taxes must be paid.

With regard to your second question, China’s position has been consistent and clear: if you want to talk, our door is wide open; if you want to fight, we will fight till the end. China is willing to properly resolve differences with the U.S. through equal dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect. However, there are principles for dialogue and bottom lines for consultation. Intimidation and threat are not the right way to engage with China and are not conducive to solving problems. The U.S. should correct its wrong approach and create an atmosphere and conditions for dialogue and consultations on an equal footing between the two sides.

With regard to your third question, I have reiterated China’s position many times and made it very clear. We will not provoke troubles, but we never flinch when trouble comes our way. The legitimate right to development of the Chinese people and the people of the world cannot be denied, and the sovereignty, security and development interests of China and all countries in the world cannot be infringed upon. Thank you.

China Arab TV: Trump announced that he will pause tariffs for 90 days on countries that don’t take retaliatory action, but raise tariffs on China to 125%, and possibly even to 150%. Will China continue to impose higher tariffs on US products?

He Yongqian: I can’t comment on the hypothetical question you raised at the moment. But I would like to emphasise that there are no winners in a trade war and there is no way out for protectionism. If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will fight till the end. We will never accept the extreme pressure and bullying of the U.S., and will certainly take resolute and forceful measures to defend our legitimate rights and interests. Thank you.

Red Star News: There are reports that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is considering suing the Trump administration, requiring it to revoke the unreasonable tariff measures that were recently introduced. Does MOFCOM have any comment on this?

He Yongqian: We have noted that there are broad opposition to the “reciprocal tariff” measures both from the international community and from within the U.S. China urges the U.S. to remove its unilateral tariff measures as soon as possible and return to the right track of properly resolving differences through equal dialogue. Thank you.

Bloomberg: I have two questions. A few days ago, there was news that if the tightened tariff measures of the U.S. come into force, China will respond with at least six big moves prepared in advance, including a steep increase of tariffs on agricultural imports from the U.S. such as soybeans and sorghum, a ban on the U.S. poultry meat exports to China, the suspension of the China-U.S. fentanyl cooperation, and so on. Does MOFCOM have any comment on this? The second question is, U.S. President Donald Trump said that China’s countermeasures are a mistake. Do you agree with him? Or do you think Trump’s tariffs were a mistake at the very beginning?

He Yongqian: I have already answered both of your questions in the previous ones. I would like to emphasize that, recently, the U.S. has announced indiscriminate tariffs on all trading partners, including China, under various pretexts, in serious violation of international rules and fairness and justice. The Chinese Government, together with all economies concerned in the world, strongly condemns and firmly opposes it. Intimidation and threats from the U.S. will not solve the problem, and we should return to the track of equal dialogue. China has taken and will continue to take firm countermeasures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. Thank you.

South China Morning Post: Has there been any direct communication between China and the U.S. on trade issues in recent days?

He Yongqian: I have just responded to the question you raised. I would like to emphasize that China’s position is clear and consistent. If you want to talk, our door is wide open. But dialogue must be conducted on an equal footing and on the basis of mutual respect. If you want to fight, China will fight till the end. Intimidation, threat and blackmail are not the right way to engage with China. Thank you.