Nearly 50 percent of Chinese foreign trade companies surveyed say they plan to reduce business with the United States, according to a new report released Monday. The move comes in response to rising U.S. tariffs, which have created significant uncertainty for exporters.
The survey, conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), included responses from more than 1,100 companies. It found that 75.3 percent of them are now looking to expand into emerging markets to offset the decline in U.S. trade.
CCPIT spokeswoman Zhao Ping said at a press conference in Beijing that frequent changes in U.S. tariff policy have made it difficult for Chinese manufacturers to make long-term plans. In response, many companies are shifting strategies. They are exploring new markets, boosting domestic sales, and improving supply chain resilience to manage current challenges.
Zhang Sihong, deputy director of the China Foreign Trade Center, said these efforts are part of a wider strategy to reduce dependence on any single market. He noted that overseas firms are also strengthening partnerships with Chinese exporters to counteract the effects of unilateral trade policies.
The second phase of the 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, concluded on Sunday in Guangzhou. It attracted more than 224,000 buyers from 219 countries and regions—setting a new record for this phase of the event.
Wang Li, a foreign trade researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said Chinese businesses are working to develop more flexible and risk-resistant models to ensure stable long-term growth.
One example is Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co, based in Linyi, Shandong province. The company exported over 600 million yuan ($82.2 million) worth of machinery to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative during the first quarter of 2025, making up more than 70 percent of its total exports, according to data from Qingdao Customs.
“To cope with rising protectionism, we have expanded our sales network in emerging markets, including Central Asia, Latin America, South Africa, and Indonesia,” said Zhang Chengwei, head of the company’s excavator division.
Similarly, Ningbo Careline Electric Appliance Co in Zhejiang province reported strong growth in domestic sales. The company recently shifted focus to the local market and launched a smart air fryer that quickly gained popularity.
“In this year’s complex global trade environment, we acted fast and took advantage of opportunities at home,” said Yu Xiongwei, the company’s president. In the first quarter, the company’s orders rose more than 20 percent year-on-year, with domestic sales surpassing 40 million yuan and accounting for over 20 percent of total sales, according to Ningbo Customs.
At the same time, CCPIT has stepped up its global engagement efforts. Since the start of the year, it has sent 184 business delegations to 45 countries and regions to promote international trade cooperation.
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