Since February 2025, the international trade pattern has been changing rapidly due to a series of tariff policy adjustments by the United States. The United States announced a 10% tariff increase on Chinese goods exported to the US and also planned to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Although the implementation of the tariffs on the latter two countries was postponed for one month, this move has already attracted high attention from the global market.
There are multiple complex considerations behind the US's actions. From the perspective of economic recovery strategy, it aims to promote the reshoring of manufacturing. By significantly increasing the tariff costs of imported goods, the domestic manufacturing industry will have a greater advantage in price competition, thus attracting enterprises to move their production lines back to the US, stimulating domestic employment and economic growth. In terms of trade balance, the US hopes to reduce the trade deficit through high tariff barriers. By curbing the import scale, domestic products can gain more market share and reshape the trade balance structure. In the field of supply chain security, the US attempts to reduce its dependence on products from specific countries and transfer the supply chains of key industries to its own country or "ally" countries, thereby enhancing the resilience and autonomy of the supply chain and reducing external risk impacts. In addition, geopolitical factors also play an important role. Tariffs have become a powerful bargaining chip for the US in international political games, through which it can strive for more say and influence on the global political stage.
This series of tariff measures has had a comprehensive impact on Chinese enterprises. For traditional export enterprises, the sharp increase in costs has become the primary problem. Take China's furniture manufacturing industry as an example. The raw material procurement, production and processing, and transportation links already have thin profit margins. After the tariff increase, the costs have risen further. Enterprises have to face a difficult choice: either increase product prices, which may lead to the loss of market share in the US to competitors; or absorb the tariff costs themselves, and the profit margins of enterprises will be severely compressed.
Cross - border e - commerce platforms are also in a difficult situation. Logistics costs have skyrocketed due to the increase in tariffs, and the adjustment of commodity prices has become extremely difficult. If the selling price is increased, consumers may turn to similar products with lower prices; if the original price is maintained, the profits of the platform and merchants will be difficult to guarantee, and the operating pressure will increase sharply.
Facing such a severe situation, Chinese enterprises going global must re - examine their strategic plans and operation models. In terms of market layout, actively exploring diversified markets has become an urgent task. Enterprises should turn their attention to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. By conducting in - depth research on local market demands and adjusting product strategies, they can reduce their excessive dependence on the single US market. Paying close attention to global policy trends is crucial. Timely grasping information on tariff adjustments, trade policy changes, and tax preferential policies of various countries can help enterprises plan in advance and flexibly adjust their business strategies. Compliance operation is always the foundation for enterprises to gain a foothold in overseas markets. Enterprises must strictly abide by local fiscal and tax regulations, accurately carry out tax declarations and payments, and avoid high - value fines and reputation losses due to illegal operations. In terms of supply chain optimization, enterprises can negotiate a cost - sharing mechanism with suppliers, explore local procurement paths, shorten the supply chain length, and improve the response speed and risk - resistance ability of the supply chain. Through these active and effective countermeasures, Chinese enterprises are expected to hold their ground in the complex and changing international market environment and achieve sustainable development.
