China’s Xi Seeks to Assure Global Business Leaders Ahead of Fresh US Tariffs

China has struggled to reverse the decline in foreign investment, especially as its economy braces for the impact of additional tariffs imposed by Washington.

China's leader Xi Jinping (C) speaks during a meeting with a group of foreign executives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 28, 2025. Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping convened a meeting with dozens of global business leaders in Beijing on March 28, aiming to signal a pivot away from the sudden crackdowns that have shaken the confidence of foreign investors amid rising geopolitical tensions.

During the gathering, which included top executives from hedge funds, pharmaceutical companies, and automotive giants, Xi acknowledged the crucial role that foreign investment has played in bolstering China’s economic growth over the past four decades.