Additional levies attract policy gaze

Free-trade setback forcing Chinese firms to get more creative, innovate

China's top economic regulator has pledged efforts to tackle issues faced by enterprises and support the development of the private sector, as it seeks to buffer the impact of the latest round of sweeping new tariffs from the United States.

Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, hosted a meeting on Tuesday morning with a group of private businesspeople from Trina Solar, China-Base Ningbo Group Co Ltd, Guangdong Lingyi iTECH Manufacturing Co Ltd, Didi Chuxing and Goertek Inc. It listened to feedback on the implementation of macroeconomic policies at the micro level, discussed companies' responses to newly imposed US tariffs, and gathered opinions on strengthening foreign trade and employment.

The meeting comes as Beijing grapples with renewed trade headwinds, including Washington's latest round of tariff hikes on Chinese goods, while also seeking to stabilize the overall economy amid a sluggish global recovery and mounting uncertainties.