BEIJING - China should get prepared for trade deficit in the coming 2012 due to the grim global outlook, while seizing the chance to make structural adjustment in foreign trade, the country's former vice minister of commerce Wei Jianguo said here Saturday.

Wei Jianguo, now secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said at an economic forum that with export gradually falling, growth in China's foreign trade is likely to drop to single-digit next year.

For China, the year of 2012 will be the most "unpredictable, complicated, grim and difficult" year since the financial crisis three years ago, he said.

"We should get ready for trade deficit next year, which is also the best time to adjust the country's foreign trade structure," said Wei.

China should also prepare for trade wars, as many countries are working to boost exports to protect themselves amid the dim global economy, he added.

Wei warned that the country is likely to face more anti-subsidy and anti-dumping cases next year from both developed countries and emerging economies.

The Chinese government should especially give support to medium and small businesses as they would go through a hard time when the E.U. market starts to shrink, leaving them no time for a business transformation.

Wei also called for acceleration in yuan's globalization, like promoting yuan settlement in free trade zones and labor contracts.