BEIJING, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged "open trade" in talks with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, during a five-day visit aimed at strengthening economic ties with the world's second-largest economy. Martin's China trip, the first by an Irish Taoiseach since 2012, comes against the backdrop of trade tensions between China and the European Union, of which Ireland will assume the rotating presidency in July. "We believe in open trade, in open relationships and in particular in terms of our trading relationship, we believe it's fundamental that we try and work towards open trade", Martin told Xi during talks in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. Xi hailed growing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and called for the "long-term, stable development" of ties. Key Irish exports to China include medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, computer services and agricultural products.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 05, 2026 05:25 UTC