Post-Spring Festival, Changxing Island Petrochemical Industrial Park is busy. Dalian Changxing Island Customs inspected export hazardous chemicals (including 75 tons maleic anhydride) to ease enterprises' backlog. Customs assigned dedicated staff, accelerated inspection; supervised 32 batches (4160.7 tons) Feb24-28, solving clearance difficulties.

On International Women's Day, women's self indulgent consumption demand rises. Qingdao Shanming Food launches low sugar/calorie chocolates for young females. Qingdao Customs provides "one enterprise one policy" services for rapid clearance, pushing market regulation info. Since 2026, Qingdao's chocolate exports exceed 900 tons (18% YoY growth).

On Feb 27, 2025, the State Council held a policy briefing introducing the Commerce Ministry's 2025 foreign trade plans (goods, service, digital trade) combining NPC/CPPCC proposals, with goals like goods trade over 45t yuan, service over 8t yuan, and steps to optimize structure, expand markets, and build a strong trading nation.

China and Canada adjusted their tariff/anti-discrimination measures following leaders' consensus. Canada adjusted tariffs on Chinese steel/aluminum products; China decided not to impose anti-discrimination tariffs on some Canadian goods from Mar 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026, announcing adjustments on Feb 27, 2026. China aims to promote healthy China-Canada economic and trade relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Feb 26 that the German Chancellor's official visit to China (Feb25-26) was fruitful. It's PM Mertz's first visit since taking office and the first foreign leader received in the Year of the Horse. Both sides issued a joint statement, agreed to strengthen strategic communication, support multilateralism, and deepen practical cooperation (e.g., green transformation), with German entrepreneurs optimistic about China's economy, aiming to inject stability into the turbulent world.

German Chancellor Mertz concluded his first official visit to China, prioritizing economic and trade cooperation. Accompanied by a high-level German business delegation, he held talks with Chinese counterparts, resulting in over ten commercial agreements. Cooperation expanded to emerging fields like AI and new energy vehicles, reflecting mutual willingness to strengthen bilateral ties.

On Feb 27, 2026, China’s State Council Tariff Commission announced adjusting tariffs on some Canadian goods (oil residue cakes, peas, lobsters, crab) from March 1 to Dec 31, 2026, per China-Canada leader consensus and relevant laws. No 100% tariff on oil residue cakes/peas; crab faces 25% tariff.

In January 2026, China had 5306 newly established foreign-invested enterprises (up 25.5% YoY) and actual foreign investment of RMB 92.01 billion (down 5.7% YoY). High-tech industries' foreign investment reached 33.75 billion yuan (up 0.6% YoY, 36.7% of total, +2.3pct YoY). Investment from Germany, Switzerland, Singapore grew 86.6%, 57.4%, 10.9% respectively.

The EU proposed "Made in Europe" to tackle external competition and internal industrial hollowing, but faces internal divisions and structural problems. Protectionism may not help; open reform is needed for long-term competitiveness.

Wang Wenshuai (CCPIT) stated that the global economic and trade friction index reached 104 in December 2025; US, EU and India rank top 3, electronics industry leads, and China-related friction index in 19 countries is 106 with US highest.

The article discusses the dialectical relationship between consumption and investment, emphasizing their positive interaction for China's domestic demand strategy. It notes 2026 economic work prioritizes domestic demand, analyzes the significance, existing room for improvement, and directions to promote a higher-level dynamic balance between the two.

According to State Administration of Taxation's tax big data analysis, 2025 promoted unified national market. Inter provincial trade sales rose 4.5% YoY (41% of national sales). Key regions had evident radiation effects. Cross provincial trade entities and electronic tax payments grew rapidly.