BEIJING (AP) — China's No. 2 leader has appealed for global support for free trade following tit-for-tat U.S. and Chinese tariff hikes in an escalating battle over Beijing's technology policy. Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday in a speech to a business conference that disputes must be worked out through consultation. China announced a tariff hike on $60 billion of American imports on Tuesday in response to U.S.