Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (Photo : Getty Images)
Kai Mykkanen, Finland's trade minister, expressed concern over the dispute between the U.S. and China and feared that the conflict between the two countries might result in a trade war.
The minister spoke after meeting with President Xi Jinping in Finland. Xi stopped over in Finland before heading back to China.
Mykkanen said, "This is one of the most crucial years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Maybe this nationalism goes further and we enter into something that might be very uncomfortable for our lifestyles. Or we find a synthesis between the U.S. and China."
Finland has been a strong supporter of globalization and took pride with Xi's visit. Finnish leaders fear that Trump's protectionist approach will do the world much harm.
"China continues to raise its profile as a defender of free trade," said Jyrki Kallio, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
He added, "Both Finland and China share the same concern about the negative effects on the global economy if Trump's action ignites a trade war between China and the United States."
During the meeting, Xi also stressed that matters that cause conflict between countries can be settled with through the World Trade Organization (WTO) or the G20.
This is in contrast to what Trump was saying that the WTO should not get involved in bilateral issues. The trade minister said that the two countries should find a middle ground.
The visit of Xi Jinping concluded well. The Chinese president also met with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto to get more backing from the EU.
After the meeting, Xi said that both countries pledged "to enhance cooperation in Arctic affairs and promote environmental protection and sustainable development of the Arctic."
Both leaders also discussed the ongoing nuclear crisis in the Korean peninsula and the recent ballistic missile that was shot to the sea.
