SFC Market Talk | What‘s the impact of Trump’s tariffs?

南方财经全媒体集团首席记者 施诗 广东报道

What’s the impact of Trump’s tariff policy? Challenges or opportunities? Decoupling or cooperation? Let’s hear the answers from the Canton Fair.

While global trade faces growing uncertainty, this year’s Canton Fair offers a different perspective. A notable highlight is the strong presence of Southeast Asian companies, reflecting the deepening China-ASEAN trade ties. In the first quarter of 2025, ASEAN remained China’s largest trading partner, with total trade reaching around $234.17 billion—a 7.1% year-on-year increase—accounting for 16.6% of China’s total foreign trade.

But this partnership is about more than just numbers. ASEAN has become an essential node in China’s supply chains, while China is a key market and investment source for ASEAN. Meanwhile, the rise of the digital economy, new energy, and high-value manufacturing is reshaping bilateral trade, moving it beyond traditional goods toward future industries.

The Canton Fair, in this context, serves as both a gateway for ASEAN enterprises to access China’s vast consumer market and a stage for Chinese companies to showcase innovation. At the same time, it reflects broader regional shifts—towards greater openness, digitalization, and mutual benefit.

In an increasingly complex world, the China-ASEAN relationship—anchored by platforms like the Canton Fair—stands out as a resilient and forward-looking model of regional cooperation.

Chief Producer: Yu Xiaona

Supervising Producer: Shi Shi

Editor: Li Yinong

Reporter:Shi Shi

Video Editor: Cai Yutian

New Media Coordination: Ding Qingyun, Zeng Tingfang, Lai Xi, Huang Daxun

Overseas Operations Supervising Producer: Huang Yanshu

Overseas Content Coordinator: Huang Zihao

Overseas Operations Editors: Zhuang Huan, Wu Wanjie, Long Lihua, Zhang Weitao

Produced by: Southern Finance Omnimedia Group