- 11:30
US tariffs have sharply reduced Chinese exports to America, but Beijing is bouncing back. Chinese shipments are now finding new markets across Europe, Asia and Africa, turning the trade war into a global game of hide-and-seek.
Since Donald Trump took office, Sino-American trade has sometimes resembled a high-stakes ping-pong match. Containers once destined for US ports now appear to have lost their way. In August 2025, exports to the United States fell 12% in a single month, representing around $5 billion worth of goods no longer crossing the Pacific, at least not directly. The cause is the 30% tariffs Washington imposed on nearly all goods labeled “Made in China.”
However, China is far from deterred. Instead, it is skillfully redirecting trade flows toward new markets. Europe is taking the largest share, absorbing 16% of Chinese exports in the first half of 2025, across sectors ranging from electronics and electric vehicles to textiles, toys and pharmaceuticals, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs.
For European consumers, this means more competitive prices and faster access to new products. However, for some local industries, it is like China arriving at a party uninvited: fears of a new Chinese shock loom, along with potential risks of deindustrialization.
Asia and Africa are also benefiting. Through its China-plus-one strategy, Beijing maintains domestic industrial bases while expanding supply chains across ASEAN countries. Exports to Vietnam, Thailand and neighboring nations have risen by 22%. Central Asia is benefiting from the New Silk Roads, while India and Africa see their markets increasingly filled with Chinese products. To support this redistribution, China launched 117 new air cargo routes in the first half of 2025, ensuring no container is left on the tarmac.
This strategic repositioning reflects China’s objectives: offsetting the loss of the US market, consolidating regional influence and demonstrating that it remains a pillar of global trade. US tariffs have not been enough to slow Beijing, which continues to skillfully maneuver on multiple fronts.
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