Baku: Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy and former President of the European Commission, emphasized the necessity for a balanced global trade system that does not rely solely on the United States. This remark was made during the panel discussion titled 'China and the Global Governance Initiative' at the 13th Baku Global Forum.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Prodi highlighted the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and the Chinese leadership, noting that both parties approach the meeting with a degree of confidence. Prodi suggested that Trump aims to leverage this meeting to bolster the United States' role on the global stage. He pointed out the ongoing tightening of US border and trade policies, which has led to a reduction in China's direct exports to the US. Despite this, China maintains a significant presence in the global economy and remains a key player in the international trading system.

Prodi advocated for a trade balance that ensures the global system is not overly reliant on the US, thereby preserving the international economic order. He observed that a certain equilibrium is forming in the trade relations between China and Europe, which may contribute to a more balanced global trade landscape.