China's April 2024 USD-denominated trade data: exports +14.1% YoY, imports +25.3%, surplus $84.82B. Growth showed supply chain resilience amid RMB appreciation and Middle East maritime disruptions. Export structure optimized (mechanical/electrical products 63.5% of total), trade partners balanced. AI transformation brings opportunities/challenges (supply chain substitution risk). Trade recovery supports stability, providing space for domestic reforms on institutional openness.

On May 7, the US International Trade Court ruled the legal basis for Trump's 10% global import tariff policy invalid. Trump announced the 10% tariff (Feb 20 via 1974 Trade Act Sec122) to replace illegal tariffs; same day, Supreme Court ruled IEEPA didn't authorize large tariffs.

Starting from May 1st, China fully implements zero tariffs on 53 African countries with diplomatic ties (world's first major economy to do so). It explores the policy's significance for China-Africa friendship, cooperation, African modernization, countering protectionism, plus trade/economic opportunities and international recognition.

The two-day G7 trade ministers' meeting concluded in Paris on May 6, issuing a joint communiqué. Parties will coordinate to address global trade imbalances and supply chain tensions. US-EU trade disputes involve US tariff threats. France (G7 presidency) prepares for June Evian summit.

China implements zero tariffs on African countries (20 non-least developed + all least developed with diplomatic ties) from May 1,2026 to April30,2028. It cuts import costs for African products (e.g., apples, brass ingots), benefits enterprises (tariff savings), boosts China-Africa cooperation, and supports Africa's development, with customs facilitating smooth implementation.

The EU's Industrial Accelerator Act has discriminatory clauses targeting Chinese enterprises, violating WTO principles, reflecting EU's industrial anxiety amid deindustrialization. It uses self-harming protectionist measures; the author urges EU to abandon protectionism for open cooperation.

On April 30th, US FCC approved restrictive measures. China's Ministry of Commerce opposes it, noting it abandons tech neutrality, generalizes national security, discriminates against Chinese companies, harms China-US trade relations and global industrial chains. China will take measures to safeguard rights if US persists.

China implements zero tariff for 20 non-least-developed African countries with diplomatic ties from May 1, 2026 (2-year term). As the first major economy to offer unilateral comprehensive zero tariff to all African/least-developed partner countries, this measure boosts China-Africa trade, supports African development, and advances bilateral cooperation amid global protectionism.

中国发布《促进综合保税区扩容提质若干措施》含24项改革，目标2025年进出口占全国16%，推动开放经济、产业升级及监管效率提升。

On April 24, China's Ministry of Commerce submitted comments to the EU on the Industrial Accelerator Act, expressing concerns over its restrictive foreign investment requirements, institutional discrimination, and potential WTO rule violations. It suggested deleting discriminatory clauses and warned of countermeasures if the EU ignores the comments.

On April 22, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed multiple export control bills including the MATCH Act. China opposes abusing export controls under national security pretexts, noting the bills would harm the international trade order and global semiconductor supply chain. China will monitor the process, evaluate impacts, and take measures to safeguard Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights.

The Ministry of Commerce and State Administration for Market Regulation issued the "Action Plan for Standardization of Trade in Services (2026-2030)", specifying overall requirements, work system construction, key area standards, internationalization, foundation consolidation and implementation to enhance service trade standardization for high-quality development.

On March 28th, at WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), 66 members including China issued a declaration on the temporary implementation arrangement of the Electronic Commerce Agreement, the first set of global digital trade rules. It covers background, importance, main content, and China's next steps.

On April 23, China's Ministry of Commerce responded to US Customs and Border Protection's tariff refund starting from April 20, opposing US unilateral tariffs (violating international trade rules, US domestic laws, harming global order), noting the refund is a corrective step (tariffs borne by US consumers), and advising Chinese export enterprises to safeguard rights.

On April 22, China and Georgia signed the China-Georgia FTA Upgrade Protocol. It updates SPS and TBT chapters, adds investment and e-commerce chapters, boosting bilateral trade, investment and cooperation. It's the first FTA after the Belt and Road Initiative and between China and Eurasian countries.

First China-Africa Entrepreneurs Forum held on April 21 at AU HQ in Addis Ababa. Theme: Deepening practical China-Africa cooperation. Over 700 attendees. Key speakers highlighted Africa's potential, China-Africa cooperation, zero tariff policies. 2025 China-Africa trade reached $348b (17.7% YoY growth). Hosted by Chinese Embassy in AU & AU Commission, with 1 main + 5 sub-forums on core areas.

The UK cannot cut ties with China, says CBI head Ryan Newton Smith. British businesses view China as key to growth; China is UK's 3rd largest trade partner. Li Haidong notes UK business community emphasizes mutual benefit, while some politicians' pan-security approach harms cooperation.

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan has a strong start with 5.0% year-on-year GDP growth. High-quality development is supported by the Party’s leadership, strategic foresight/adaptability, social creativity, energy revolution, manufacturing upgrading, and new quality productive forces, demonstrating economic resilience and sustainability.

On April 18th, Tianjin Port launched the "Mediterranean Migsan" new container route linking China (Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai) to South Africa (Kuha, Durban), deploying 12 140,000-ton ships with weekly departures (shortest voyage 40 days). Tianjin Customs streamlined processes to boost efficiency. Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei's Q1 Africa trade rose 16.8% to 95.95 billion yuan.

Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng emphasized at the 56th World Trade Center Association Global Business Forum in Philadelphia that China-US economic, trade and tech cooperation should return to common sense and rationality, opposing overgeneralized national security and calling for addressing bilateral issues. The forum attracted nearly 500 reps from over 50 countries.