Challenges and Countermeasures for Chinese Foreign Trade Enterprises under US Tariff Policies

In recent years, the U.S. has frequently adjusted its tariff policies on Chinese exports, undoubtedly posing severe challenges to Chinese enterprises that primarily export to the U.S. market. Especially after successive rounds of tariff hikes, many exporters are left wondering: Can our products still remain competitive in the U.S. market? Are there really no alternatives? Are goods subject to high tariffs still worth exporting? Against this backdrop, we need to calmly analyze the current situation, assess risks, and restrategize future export plans.foreign tradeEscalating Tariffs: Current Situation and Impact

After Tariff Hikes: Do We Still Have Competitiveness?

From 2018 to 2019, the Trump administration gradually imposed high tariffs on over $300 billion worth of Chinese goods, with the highest rate reaching 25%. By 2020, the average U.S. tariff on Chinese exports remained at 19.3%, covering 66.4% of Chinese imports, approximately $335 billion. This policy directly severely impacted the competitiveness of many Chinese goods in the U.S. market.
Tariff Adjustments During the Biden Era

Although the Biden administration revised some policies from the Trump era, it largely maintained most of the previous tariff measures on China. In 2024, even more tariffs were imposed, covering industries such as steel and aluminum, batteries, electric vehicles, and more. Tariffs on electric vehicles even increased from 25% to 100%, drastically reducing the price competitiveness of Chinese electric vehicles exported to the U.S.
New Round of Tariff ThreatssolarOn November 25, 2024, U.S. President-elect Trump announced that on his first day in office, he would impose an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China. This means already high tariffs would increase further—for example, tariffs on electric vehicles would reach 110%, and tariffs on solar cells would rise to 60%. Such a tariff burden undoubtedly places enormous pressure on Chinese exporters.

Are Tariffs Always Borne by U.S. Consumers?
On November 25, 2024, U.S. President-elect Trump announced that he would impose an additional 10% tariff on all imported goods from China on his first day in office. This means that already high tariffs will be further increased, such as tariffs on electric vehicles reaching 110% and tariffs on solar cells increasing to 60%. Such tariff burdens are undoubtedly a huge pressure on Chinas export enterprises.

How to Address Current Challenges?

Are tariffs necessarily borne by U.S. consumers?
Many people believe that the ultimate burden of tariff increases will fall on American consumers. However, the actual situation is often more complex. On one hand, U.S. importers and retailers may pass the tariffs on to consumers, leading to higher product prices. On the other hand, to address consumer price sensitivity, importers may demand price reductions from Chinese suppliers to maintain market competitiveness. This means the profit margins of export enterprises are further squeezed.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is actively seeking to diversify its supply chains by increasing imports from regions like Southeast Asia, thereby reducing its reliance on China. As a result, the cost advantage of Chinese products in the U.S. market is gradually diminishing, and competition is becoming more intense.

Can other countries serve as alternatives?
In recent years, the U.S. has indeed shifted toward other manufacturing hubs such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand in Southeast Asia. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced plans to impose tariffs as high as 271% on solar panels imported from these countries. This indicates that the U.S. is not solely targeting China but is adjusting its global supply chain policies to protect domestic industries. Therefore, for certain industries, Southeast Asia is not entirely a low-tariff alternative.

Instead of Dwelling, Take Proactive Measures

Diversified market strategy
Exporters focused solely on the U.S. market may find it increasingly difficult to maintain competitiveness amid escalating tariffs. Exploring other markets is thus a crucial strategy to address current challenges. Emerging markets in South America, the Middle East, and Africa, though less mature than the U.S., offer significant growth potential, particularly in infrastructure development and consumption upgrades.

For example, many foreign trade companies have begun shifting their focus to South America. Although payment risks may be higher there, tools like credit insurance from Sinosure can help mitigate transaction risks. Additionally, South America has strong demand for certain types of goods, presenting new opportunities for Chinese businesses.

Reducing costs through supply chain optimization
For the U.S. market, companies need to take proactive measures to lower production and operational costs to maintain price competitiveness while coping with tariff pressures. This could involve cost-cutting through technological upgrades and improved production efficiency or relocating low-value-added processes to countries with lower costs to reduce overall manufacturing expenses.

Strengthening relationships with existing clients
For long-term U.S. clients, Chinese exporters still hold certain advantages, especially those with proprietary production molds and technologies. Maintaining relationships with existing clients by offering personalized services and stable supply can help mitigate the risk of clients switching to other suppliers. Long-term contracts and other collaborative arrangements can also lock in orders and reduce uncertainty caused by tariff adjustments.

Conclusion: Seek New Opportunities While Maintaining Stability

Tariff increases have indeed squeezed profits for many companies, even eroding their cost advantages. To cope with rising cost pressures, many exporters have opted to shrink profit margins during order negotiations to retain market share. Meanwhile, U.S. consumer purchasing habits are gradually shifting, with more people prioritizing product quality and value for money over just price.

In this context, rather than fixating on U.S. tariff adjustments, foreign trade companies should focus on the present and adopt proactive strategies. On one hand, they should stabilize existing clients and control costs; on the other, they should explore new market opportunities to reduce reliance on a single market and build a diversified portfolio.

Tariff Policies During the Trump Era

Faced with escalating U.S. tariff pressures, we cannot rely solely on policy changes for a turnaround. Instead, companies must enhance their competitiveness through their own efforts. Exploring diversified markets, optimizing supply chains, and improving product quality are all effective ways to tackle external challenges. The path of foreign trade is never smooth, but within challenges lie new opportunities. Staying steady while embracing change and daring to explore are key strategies for every foreign trade professional to overcome difficulties and embrace the future.