As The U.S. Pushes For More Protectionism, Global Trade Turns To Another Obvious Option- China

• Published date: 13 November 2025
• Law Firm: GGI Global Alliance
• Author: Bob Brewer ( Braumiller Law Group)

Here we are. August 1st, 2025, and the media is now publishing what facts they have on the various trade deals as well as those that have yet to come to fruition, in addition to the new announcement of imposed global tariffs which range anywhere from 10% to 41%, Yes, the trade world is on fire from a U.S perspective. CNN, my 'go-to' is reporting that the Trump Administration is imposing tariffs on over 60 countries around the globe.

Canada has been bumped up to 35%, and Mexico stands at 25%, not good for our major trading partners. If a country has a trade deficit with the U.S. the tariff rate starts at 15%. Some countries are somewhat insignificant based on the amount of product they export to the U.S., but China, the world's 2nd largest economy, and the U.S. have yet to make a deal. I therefore reflect back on 'Liberation Day' and that historically important list of abusers around the globe, notating their duly noted punishment in a reciprocal tariff to the right, and the mandate put in place that the U.S. was coming after global trade partners, determined to make them pay for their abuse. To say the least, back then, it set off a chain reaction around the world regarding mitigation strategies, but also the exploration of options to trading with the U.S. I must say, wow, what an absolutely perfect opportunity for China to take the exact opposite approach and welcome the world of trade to their front door. And they have been doing just that. It goes beyond 'zero tariffs' into China for 53 African countries, but that's in play too. Yes, representatives from 53 African countries fairly recently gathered in Changsha, Hunan Province, China for high-level trade talks and the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), held from June 12-15, 2025. There were over 4,600 exhibitors and 40,000+ attendees who participated. Themed 'China-Africa Joint Action, Pursuing Modernization Dreams', the event emphasized mutual development and modernization

Exhibits covered sectors like clean energy, agriculture, e-commerce, traditional medicine, and infrastructure. It was during these talks and deal making sessions that China took the initiative to announce a new zero-tariff policy for exports from African countries with which it maintains solid diplomatic relations via its investments, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, further deepening its economic foothold across the continent.

Given the level of protectionism that the U.S. is exercising these days, it makes me...