Reference News Network, September 12 report - The UK's The Economist website published an article titled "Despite U.S. Attacks, China's Trade Remains Thriving" on September 9. The main content is translated as follows:

Since Trump returned to the White House, one country has been the first target of his frustration. He claimed in April this year: "Every country in the world is taking advantage of us, with China leading the list..."

He took action on this - putting tariffs on Chinese goods at the highest level. The U.S. trade agreement with Southeast Asian countries also targets goods suspected to be "transit" from China. The U.S. also pressured the EU to exclude Chinese metal products from the EU supply chain. While Trump's trade agenda was largely aimless, isolating China appeared to be the only plan that seemed relatively clear.

China responded with its own tariff policies and built good relations with other regions and countries around the world. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit held on September 1, the Chinese leader urged SCO members to oppose Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying behavior.

What does all this mean in practice? A few months after Trump's so-called "Liberation Day," trade data provide a clue for investigation.

Trump's ambition to damage China's trade did not succeed. China's overall exports have risen, with new markets filling the gap. From June to August this year, China's total exports increased by about 6% year-on-year.

Countries outside the United States still welcome Chinese goods, especially countries in the Global South. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013 has already laid a solid foundation in these countries. Since Trump returned to the White House, the development of the Belt and Road Initiative has also accelerated. Data from the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia show that economic activity in Belt and Road countries reached record levels in the first half of 2025, with newly signed contracts exceeding $120 billion.

These cooperation agreements are driving trade growth. In the past three months, China's exports to Nigeria have seen a significant year-on-year increase, mainly due to the demand for equipment from railway projects funded by China. Chinese financial operations have also made progress: Kenya plans to convert U.S.-denominated Chinese loans into RMB-denominated ones; Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa have already signed currency swap agreements with China.

At the same time, China is consolidating its position in the supply chain. From June to August this year, China's exports to Thailand and Vietnam grew rapidly compared to the same period last year.

China is conducting production activities in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to meet the requirements of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on origin. This may lead to a reduction in transshipment trade, but it strengthens the role of Chinese companies in trade.

Trump should realize that trying to build a fortress is a sign of lack of confidence. During the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century, China limited foreign trade, which weakened national vitality and accelerated its decline. As shown by trade data, while building high walls, the United States may be making the same mistake. (Translated by Pan Xiaoyan)

A freight train enters the multimodal transport center of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone located within the SCO Demonstration Zone on August 27. (Xinhua)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549032295378846242/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion below using the [top/down] buttons.