The newly revised Foreign Trade Law of China, effective March 1, 2026, implements cross-border service trade negative list management, supports green trade and new foreign trade formats, and aids small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises to enhance risk resilience.

US President Trump announced on Jan 12 that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on its US dealings, effective immediately.

On the 12th, reports said EU and China made progress in EV tariff dispute. EU released a guidance document on price commitments for Chinese EV exporters (covering minimum prices, sales channels etc.), which may replace current tariffs. It follows WTO non-discrimination principles. Chinese chamber praised it as a "soft landing" boosting market confidence.

In 2025, international trade policies fluctuated dramatically as the U.S. launched reciprocal tariffs, triggering global tensions. WTO reports identified policy uncertainty as a core issue. Pre-imported goods brought temporary growth but masked real pressures. Emerging industries had limited trade impacts, leaving global trade facing sustained downward pressure.

The EU and US clashed over digital sovereignty, with US imposing visa restrictions on European advocates by late 2025. EU enforced digital regulations (fines on X, Apple, Meta, Google). Europe faces digital industry weaknesses (cloud, AI, chips). EU plans 2026 strategies (AI super factories, cloud act, regulatory reforms) to enhance competitiveness.

Long-delayed India-US tariff negotiations make Indian exporters uneasy; January is decisive for 2026 H1 US orders. 2025 Aug US punitive tariffs hit Indian labor-intensive industries. Trump’s ambiguous remarks add doubts; exporters seek alternatives (US subsidiaries, UAE/Africa). India’s Washington embassy hired a US lobbying firm.

The United Nations released the "World Economic Situation and Prospects for 2026" report on January 8th, predicting 2.7% global economic growth in 2026, slightly lower than 2025's estimated value.

On Dec 24, 2025, Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretariat issued Announcement No.99/2025, initiating a second anti-dumping sunset review on polypropylene resin from South Africa and India (tax codes 3902.10.20, 3902.30.00). Stakeholders submit responses via SEI within 30 days of questionnaire receipt; hearing applications within 5 months of initiation. Past related rulings are noted.

On January 6, 2026, the US Department of Commerce launched anti-dumping and countervailing investigations into fresh mushrooms from Canada (US Customs code 0709.51.0100). ITC will make an initial injury determination by Feb 2, 2026, with preliminary rulings expected on Feb 18 (anti-subsidy) and May 4 (anti-dumping) 2026. 2024 imports were ~$350M.

On December 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched anti-dumping investigations against chromium trioxide from India and Türkiye, and a countervailing investigation against that from India, involving US Customs code 2819.10.0000.

South Korean President Lee Jae myung began his China state visit on Jan 4, with growing expectations for bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, and emerging industries. A 200-enterprise economic delegation was formed, focusing on AI and manufacturing. The two countries have a competition-complementarity structure, and related South Korean stock market sectors rose.

US President Trump warned India on Jan 4 that if it doesn't restrict Russian oil purchases, the US may increase tariffs on Indian products. In Aug 2025, the US imposed punitive tariffs on Indian Russian oil imports (raising overall rate to 50%). India says its policy safeguards domestic consumers; the two countries are negotiating the issue.