China's foreign trade focus is accelerating its shift toward the south and east, with EU trade barriers driving market transformation.

Foreign Media: While the EU builds walls, China shifts its trade focus southward and eastward.

China's foreign trade landscape is undergoing a profound structural transformation: In the first half of the year, trade between China and "Belt and Road" partner countries increased by 14.8% year-on-year to approximately $1.9 trillion, accounting for 50.9% of total foreign trade; trade with neighboring countries surged by 20.6%, while Latin America and Africa saw growth rates of 16.2% and 19.6%, respectively. In contrast, China-Europe trade grew by only 10.2%, showing a clear slowdown in momentum.

The EU has imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as high as 38%, and launched investigations into solar panels, wind turbines, and rail transit equipment. Furthermore, the new Foreign Subsidies Regulation grants the European Commission extensive enforcement powers, transforming Europe from a reliable free trade partner into a fortress of regulatory barriers—prompting China to prioritize markets in the Global South, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871254003083264/

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