China Tells Davos Forum It Never Pursued Trade Surplus, Vows to Import More

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

China never deliberately pursued a trade surplus and is willing to be “the world’s market”, Vice Premier He Lifeng told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, after the manufacturing giant logged a record surplus that will further unnerve its trade partners.

China is willing to leverage its “mega-sized market” and “more vigorously” expand imports, He said at the WEF’s annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort Davos.

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