The US announced that countries will start paying new tariffs on August 1st; China stated that rare earths will not be a problem between China and th
The global economic and trade environment is facing new variables. US President Trump announced that countries need to pay the adjusted new tariffs starting from August 1st, and the tax rates may drop significantly. China reiterates its hope that the US will meet China halfway, while the EU is taking a tougher stance on US tariffs; Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that rare earths will not affect China-EU relations.
In addition, Chinese enterprises are accelerating their global layout. Alibaba Cloud will invest over 400 million yuan to support international ecosystem construction, and Yongmaotai plans to invest approximately 450 million yuan to build an automotive parts base in Mexico. The opening of a new automotive logistics channel between China and the UAE is beneficial for exports, but Indonesia's plan to impose anti-dumping measures on Chinese goods poses pressure; The Ministry of Commerce stated that it will strengthen guidance to promote the orderly development of second-hand car exports. It is worth noting that solid-state battery technology is expected to achieve commercial application in 2027, and the industry's potential is promising.
Let's read this week's overseas expansion news to learn about the latest trends in going global.
Trump: Countries will start paying new tariffs on August 1st, and the tax rates may range from 60%-70% to 10%-20% According to reports, US President Trump reiterated that he will start sending letters about tariff rates to trading partners on Friday (July 4th), but refused to disclose which countries will receive the letters starting from Friday. Trump said that by July 9th, "it will be fully covered, and the tariff rates may range from 60%-70% to 10%-20%." (Wall Street News)
The US will inform different countries of the new tariffs to be imposed. Foreign Ministry: We hope that the US can meet China halfway
On July 4th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference. A reporter from Agence France-Presse asked that US President Trump announced yesterday that he is about to send notices to different countries, informing them of the new tariffs to be imposed. What's China's comment on this?
Mao Ning said that for specific issues, it is recommended that you consult the relevant Chinese authorities. As a principle, we hope that the US can meet China halfway and take practical actions to maintain and implement the important consensus reached in the phone call between the two heads of state, and jointly promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations. (CCTV News)
British media: The EU is taking a tougher stance on US tariffs
According to a report by the British "Financial Times" on July 1st, as the July 9th deadline for the EU-US trade negotiations approaches, the negotiating stance of EU member states towards the US is becoming tougher. They insist that the US cancel tariffs on the EU as part of any framework agreement. The report quoted an EU official as saying that the US has told the EU that the most likely first-phase agreement will be similar to the US-UK trade agreement, and some tariffs will be retained during the ongoing negotiations.
In view of the EU's focus on promoting the US to cancel or significantly reduce tariffs in the long term, EU member states have asked Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security who is visiting the US this week, to take a tougher stance and advocate that any agreement must include a reduction of the current 10% benchmark tariff imposed by the US on most EU export goods starting from July 9th, and at the same time, call for a reduction of higher industry tariffs. (Xinhua News Agency)
The US cancels two export restrictions on China regarding chip technology and ethane
There are signs of easing in the China-US trade dispute. The US has lifted the export restrictions on three chip design software suppliers to China and allowed two ethane producers to resume exporting ethane to China.
On July 3rd, it was learned from Synopsys, Inc. that on July 2nd local time, the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security officially lifted the export restrictions on the company to China that were imposed in the first half of this year. Currently, the company has resumed supplying to China. In addition, Siemens AG of Germany and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. of the US also issued statements, saying that they have received notices from the US Department of Commerce that they no longer need to obtain "government licenses" to conduct business in China and are resuming access to software and technology for affected customers. (Global Times)
Wang Yi: Rare earths should not be an issue between China and the EU
On July 3rd local time, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin and answered questions from reporters on the spot. In response to a reporter's question about European companies' concerns regarding China's implementation of export controls on rare earths, Wang Yi said that it is the sovereignty of each country to implement necessary controls on dual-use items, and it is also an international obligation that should be fulfilled.
China's policy complies with international practices and is also conducive to maintaining world peace and stability. Rare earth exports have never been and should not be an issue between China and the EU. As long as European companies comply with export control regulations and go through the necessary procedures, their normal needs will be guaranteed. The relevant Chinese authorities have also set up a "fast track" for European companies. Some people deliberately hyping up this issue between China and the EU have ulterior motives. (Xinhua News Agency)
A new automotive logistics channel is opened between Chinese and UAE ports On the morning of July 3rd, the car carrier "Zahr" of Abu Dhabi Ports Group in the UAE loaded nearly 4,000 domestic cars at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and will set sail on its maiden voyage this afternoon. The ship will pass through the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, and finally arrive at the Port of Damietta in Egypt. This is also the first ro-ro shipping line for automotive exports passing through this region. (CCTV News)
Indonesia plans to impose anti-dumping measures on Chinese imported goods According to a report on July 4th, the Deputy Minister of Industry of Indonesia recently announced that the government plans to implement anti-dumping or safeguard measures in border areas to prevent a large influx of Chinese products into the Indonesian market due to the China-US trade friction. This move aims to protect local industries from import shocks. Given that the US has imposed an additional 30% tariff on some Chinese products and China has imposed an additional 10% tariff on US products, it has become more difficult for Chinese products to enter the US market, and they may turn to emerging markets such as Indonesia. In June 2025, Indonesia's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped by 0.5%, and the manufacturing industry is still in a contraction state. The main reasons include weak new export orders, low global market sentiment and uncertainties in trade policies. (DAY123 Southeast Asian E-commerce)
The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has issued a number of new regulations on e-commerce promotions
On June 30th, the Saudi Ministry of Commerce issued a number of new regulations on e-commerce promotions, requiring all online promotion activities to obtain permission in advance and be verified by consumers through barcodes. The new regulations clearly stipulate that merchants must mark a clear price range (such as "original price - discounted price"), prohibit price manipulation and false discounts, and at the same time, require the public disclosure of return and exchange policies. It is worth noting that the new regulations specifically emphasize that consumers have the right to choose products without being restricted by bundled promotions, and require merchants to strictly abide by product warranty terms. (Yibang Power)
Geely Auto signs an agreement to enter the Italian market and will launch two star electric models in Italy
On July 4th, 2025, Geely Auto signed a distribution agreement with Al-Futtaim Automotive, a leading provider of mobility solutions, announcing the joint development of the Italian market with its new energy vehicle models. Geely Auto will launch two star electric models in Italy: the globally intelligent pure-electric SUV Geely International EX5 and a plug-in hybrid SUV. (36Kr)
Alibaba Cloud will invest over 400 million yuan to support international ecosystem construction
On July 3rd, Alibaba Cloud announced that it will invest over 400 million yuan in the next year to specifically support the ecological construction of international partners. This investment will be mainly used for joint marketing activities, incentive and rebate mechanisms, and training and empowerment to help partners expand their businesses, enhance their capabilities, and accelerate the implementation of cloud and AI products in the global market. Currently, Alibaba Cloud has reached cooperation agreements with several technology companies from Europe, America and the Asia-Pacific region, including Atos, Crayon, Dify, PingCAP, DXC Technology, Squirro, Bespin Global, etc. The cooperation covers areas such as large model applications and database services. (Jiemian News)
Yongmaotai: Plans to invest approximately 450 million yuan to build a smart manufacturing base for automotive parts in Mexico
According to an announcement by Yongmaotai on July 1st, the company plans to jointly invest approximately 450 million yuan through its wholly-owned subsidiary Anhui Yongmaotai Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.'s wholly-owned subsidiary Singapore Company and Singapore Automotive Technology to build a smart manufacturing base for automotive parts in Mexico to expand overseas markets, enhance the brand's international popularity and market competitiveness, and further promote the company's internationalization process. (Jiemian News)
元气森林's iced tea enters Indonesia, accelerating its global layout
According to a report on July 2nd, the iced tea series of Yuanqi Forest has entered the mainstream retail channels in Indonesia for the first time, becoming the second product line to go global in Indonesia after the sparkling water. At the same time, the green bamboo grapefruit flavored sparkling water was also launched on the shelves. Currently, Yuanqi Forest has covered over 30,000 retail outlets in Indonesia and entered 591 Costco stores in the United States and 109 in Canada. Its global layout is advancing steadily. In 2022, its "0-sugar, 0-fat, 0-calorie" sparkling water quickly ranked among the top carbonated drinks in Indonesia with its healthy positioning and refreshing taste. With its precise channel strategy and product innovation, Yuanqi Forest is continuously reshaping the international image of "Chinese brands". (36Kr)
The母婴 brand Babycare has outperformed "Made in Japan" products in 8,000 Japanese stores
According to a report on July 3rd, in the Japanese 7-Eleven convenience stores, which are regarded as retail learning benchmarks, Babycare has become the first Chinese maternal and infant brand to enter. In Akachan Honpo, the largest maternal and infant chain store in Japan, Babycare's products are placed in the main aisle. Other Japanese mainstream retail channels that have introduced Babycare include the maternal and infant chain brand Nishimatsuya and the pharmacy chain representative Matsumoto Kiyoshi. According to the "2023 Annual E-commerce Market Survey Results" released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the penetration rate of B2C e-commerce in Japan in 2023 was only 9.38%, and offline retail sales accounted for approximately 90.62%. Japan has always been regarded as a "quality market" for global brands. Consumers prefer locally-made products and have extremely high requirements for user experience, functional details, quality and safety. Correspondingly, the dominant offline channels also have extremely strict requirements for the qualifications and sales performance of入驻 brands. (Yien.com)
Amazon has deployed 1 million robots globally
The number of robots deployed by the multinational e-commerce company Amazon has reached 1 million. These robots are distributed in Amazon's global operation network, including both fixed-station robots and self-guided handling robots, and they are starting to have AI capabilities. Amazon is also the first company to claim to have completed the deployment of 1 million robots. (Yicai.com)
CITIC Construction Investment: Solid-state batteries are expected to achieve commercial application in 2027
According to a research report by CITIC Construction Investment, in the field of lithium battery equipment, the industry is gradually emerging from the bottom. Solid-state batteries are expected to achieve commercial application in 2027, and equipment will take the lead. (1) Since September 2024, the capacity utilization rate of leading domestic battery manufacturers has increased; since 2025, leading lithium battery equipment companies have continued to receive overseas orders, and the situation in the domestic market has improved significantly. The full-year domestic forecast is expected to be revised upwards. (2) There have been many recent catalysts for solid-state batteries. For example, on June 18th, Guoxuan High-Tech said that the PACK system of its Jinshi all-solid-state battery has completed the preliminary development and application work and has started road tests on vehicles; QingTao Energy Development Co., Ltd. has received environmental assessment approval for its 15GWh solid-state battery project in the Chengdu base; enterprises such as SAIC, BMW and Changan have put forward vehicle installation or road test plans, indicating that the industry is ready to take off; on June 25th, the US solid-state battery manufacturer Quantum Scape revealed that it has made a milestone progress by integrating the Cobra separator manufacturing process into the production of its benchmark battery products. (36Kr)
The Ministry of Commerce: Will strengthen guidance on second-hand car exports to promote their healthy and orderly development
On July 3rd, He Yongqian, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, said that cars are "big-ticket and durable" consumer goods, and it is a common practice for countries to encourage and support the development of the "second-hand car" market. In February 2024, the Ministry of Commerce, together with relevant departments, jointly formulated the requirements and procedures for second-hand car exports and issued an announcement, officially launching the second-hand car export business across the country. Over the past year or so, localities have organized and implemented relevant work in accordance with the requirements of the announcement, strictly ensuring quality and safety and doing a good job in second-hand car export-related work, meeting the car purchase choices of overseas consumers. In the next step, we will continue to work with relevant departments to strengthen guidance on second-hand car exports and promote their healthy and orderly development. (Jiemian News)
The high-end beauty market in Latin America grew by 18% in 2025, with perfume and makeup being the main drivers
According to a report on July 3rd, the latest data from Circana shows that the value of the high-end beauty market in Latin America increased by 18% in the first quarter of 2025, but the growth rate has slowed down compared with previous quarters, indicating that consumer behavior may be changing. Mexico leads the region with half of the global sales volume, and Argentina has the highest growth rate of 21%. All monitored categories have achieved double-digit growth, indicating a local consumption recovery.
In terms of channels, the growth rate of e-commerce will slow down, and physical retail may become the protagonist of the industry again. The perfume category led the market with a 19% increase, and the market share of niche perfumes exceeded 7%. The sales of makeup increased by 16%, with lip products performing particularly well; the sales of skin care products increased by 10%, and the sales of mini sets soared by more than 20%. Mid-priced pharmacy brands have shown significant growth (+30%), while high-end brands have performed relatively moderately. Circana pointed out that Latin American consumers are becoming more rational, and the demand for affordable and diverse choices is increasing. (Yien.com)
Tariffs drive up US prices, and the second-hand "Xianyu" platform has become popular among young people
According to a report on July 3rd, this year, the US has adjusted its trade policy and imposed a 10% benchmark tariff on imported goods, covering many fields such as furniture and electronic products, resulting in a sharp rise in the prices of relevant goods. According to an estimate by the Yale Budget Lab, without policy intervention, the inflation caused by tariffs will cost US households an average of about $3,800 more per year. Affected by this, US consumer confidence has dropped significantly. In May 2025, the consumer confidence index dropped by 32% compared with the first quarter. Facing price pressure, the behavior of some consumers has changed significantly.
According to the "2025 Resale Report" by ThredUp and market research, 68% of consumers from two generations have bought second-hand goods. They purchase second-hand furniture, electronic products, etc. through online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay and local second-hand stores. Choosing second-hand goods is not only because their prices are much lower than new products, which can save costs, but also because the retro style is popular, and some second-hand electronic products have reliable functions. At the same time, young consumers' awareness of environmental protection has increased, and second-hand consumption is in line with the concept of sustainable development. (Yien.com)
The 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference kicks off in Beijing
From July 2nd to July 6th, the 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference will last for four days. Focusing on important fields such as the integrated application of artificial intelligence, digital security, data elements and emerging tracks such as digital healthcare, guests from more than 50 countries and multiple international organizations such as the World Trade Organization will gather in Beijing to attend this "digital appointment". (Guangming Net)
This article is from the WeChat public account "Hangzhou Qiantang Enterprise Overseas Service Base". Author: Zhejiang Enterprises Going Global. Republished with permission from Qiantang.
