Young people were found flocking to the Irish whiskey booth, enthusiastically capturing photos and sharing them on social media, before taking a sampling. "This whiskey has a rich, mellow taste with floral and fruity aromas, complemented by unique Irish spices. The offline tasting and the local Irish explanation made for a fantastic experience," said one visitor at the exposition.

"My target product categories have evolved quickly in the last six years at the Canton Fair - from traditional export items such as clothes, furniture and home appliances, to the 'new three items' represented by new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products in 2023 and 2024," a buyer from Georgia who asked to be named You Li, a Chinese name derived from his given name Yuli, told the Global Times at the ongoing 137th Canton Fair.

The high-level meeting between the leaders of China and Cambodia is of great significance in carrying forward the traditional friendship and opening a new chapter of cooperation between the two sides, said Chen Yanhua, executive chairman of the Cambodia Chinese Chamber of Commerce, noting that this not only demonstrates the deep mutual trust between the two governments but also injects strong momentum into the future of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China has recently stepped up commercial aircraft cooperation with Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, according to their respective joint statements. Malaysian flagship carrier Malaysia Airlines is considering purchasing aircraft from Chinese aircraft maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), with C909, C919 and C929 all in consideration, domestic media outlet Caijing magazine reported on Friday.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (US time) floated the idea that the US might reach a “deal” with China and signaled a potential end to the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the US and China, Reuters reported, even as his administration rolled out more aggressive measures to undermine China-US ties with plans to levy a port fee on Chinese-built vessels. Chinese analysts said faced with the wide questioning and opposition, the US administration is facing increasing pressure from its reckless moves and the tariff “numbers game” cannot be sustainable, and the US needs to show more sincerity with real actions if it wants to start any talks.

In response to the US government's announcement of new port fees for Chinese-built and operated vessels, set to take effect in mid-October, which is part of the Trump administration's efforts to revive the US shipbuilding industry and reduce China's dominance in the sector, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that China has repeatedly stated its position on the issue. "I would like to reiterate that imposing port fees and additional tariffs on cargo handling equipment harm the interests of both others and itself. It raises global shipping costs, disrupts supply chain stability, and increases inflationary pressures in the US, ultimately harming American consumers and businesses, without revitalizing the US shipbuilding industry," he said.

China's Hainan University unveiled domestically developed core technologies and a series of products for implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCI), including globally leading BCI-specific chips, at the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) held from April 13 to Friday. With core technologies breaking dependence on imports, this also marks that China has achieved full-chain technological autonomy and control in the field of BCI, the Hainan University School of Biomedical Engineering announced on Friday via its official WeChat account.

The Trump administration announced Thursday new fees on Chinese-built vessels, with operators charged based on net tonnage or container volume. Chinese experts described the actions as discriminatory trade bullying, noting that it not only disrupts global supply chains, but also damages the country's credibility. They warned that the tariff approach would force logistics companies to pass costs onto export goods, undermining efforts to reduce the trade deficit and causing significant harm to the US.

China has released a series of new measures aimed at expanding and upgrading consumption in the domestic services sector, as part of broader efforts to stimulate domestic demand.

China will deepen international exchanges and cooperation on 6G with countries and regions such as the European Union, South Korea, and India, Xie Cun, an official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on Friday.

"My target product categories evolved quickly in the past six years at the Canton Fair - from traditional export items such as clothes, furniture and home appliances, to the 'new three items' represented by new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products in 2023 and 2024," a buyer from Georgia who preferred to be named as You Li, a Chinese name transferred from his given name Yuli, told the Global Times at the ongoing 137th Canton Fair.

With six consecutive quarters of growth, China-Cambodia trade surged to a historic high of 33.33 billion yuan ($4.53 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, a 13.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to Chinese customs data. This growth outpaced the rate of China's overall trade expansion with ASEAN countries by 6 percentage points, highlighting the strength and resilience of bilateral economic ties, CCTV reported on Thursday.

The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia marks a pivotal moment for strengthening economic and trade ties between the two nations, and this high-level engagement underscores China's commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Malaysia, particularly amid global trade uncertainties, Unny Sankar Ravi Sankar, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

When asked to comment on a media reports that China will convene an informal meeting of the UN Security Council next week to discuss the issue of the US imposition of additional tariffs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday that China supports the international community in conducting discussions through various platforms, including the UN Security Council, to gain a deeper understanding of the harms of unilateralism and bullying acts, reaffirm the commitment to multilateralism and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build consensus for strengthening the role of the United Nations and safeguarding the legitimate development rights and interests of all countries.

Villagers pick tea leaves at a tea base in Zigui county of Yichang, Central China's Hubei Province on April 17, 2025. Farmers are taking the opportunity to collect tea leaves to make spring tea as the region has entered the spring tea picking period. Photo: VCG

China and Brazil have accelerated business exchanges lately, with the two countries reportedly discussing a series of agricultural purchase deals. The move is taken against the backdrop that the US has launched reckless trade tariffs, forcing China to take counter measures.

As two major EV markets, strong performances in China and Europe significantly affect the global market. Challenges like Europe's tariffs on Chinese EVs and US auto tariffs persist, yet both regions show robust potential. If Europe reduces protectionist measures, cooperation between these markets could further boost the EV sector.

Chinese e-commerce giants are beefing up efforts to help the nation's exporters to pivot to the domestic market, as the US government is levying tariffs against its trading partners.

In a concerted drive, major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen have announced measures to promote the private economy, in an enhanced bid to foster a more favorable business climate and bolster the confidence of private enterprises.

China firmly opposes unilateral tariff policies, not only to safeguard its own legitimate interests but also to protect the multilateral system and defend the global trading system, setting an example for other countries in countering US trade bullying, Chinese trade experts stated at a think tank forum on Wednesday.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company will serve the Chinese market unswervingly, during a visit in Beijing on Thursday, three months after his previous visit. He highlighted China's strengths in the consumer market, booming industrial ecology, and software prowess, according to a report by CCTV News on Thursday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the Xinhua News Agency reported. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China holds vast potential for investment and consumption, with industrial transformation and upgrading gaining pace.

The Group of 20 (G20) held its Development Working Group meeting from Monday to Wednesday in Western Cape Province, South Africa. During the meeting, China expressed its position on the US proposal for "reciprocal tariffs." Multiple parties called for jointly safeguarding the multilateral trading system and opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.

Space launches have helped boost tourism in Wenchang, South China's Hainan Province. Wenchang International Aerospace City will harness the advantages of Hainan Free Trade Port and commercial potential of the aerospace industry to cultivate a world-class launch site and build a world-class aerospace city that highlights aerospace culture and tourism, Xiao Lin, deputy commissioner of Wenchang International Aerospace City Administration, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"How was your day at the Canton Fair?" "I'm about to reach a deal with my Chinese supplier of iceboxes. Good quality." "I'm also looking for iceboxes. Can you share the name and the position of the booth?" "Sure." The dialogue was heard on the metro, instead of the Canton Fair complex, between buyers from Canada and Nigeria attending the 137th Canton Fair, held in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province.

During a recent meeting, China and member states of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations conveyed a resolute stance in favor of multilateralism, safeguarding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and opposed the unilateral coercive tactics, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

When asked to comment on that the White House press secretary quoted the US president saying "The ball is in China's court, and China needs to make a deal with us", and whether China is communicating or will communicate with the US in the near future, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday that the ministry has been always maintaining working-level communication with its US counterparts.

In response to media questions regarding reports that, under the high pressure of tariffs, the EU is stepping up efforts to reach trade agreements with other regions, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen recently emphasized “a further pivot to Asia,” MOFCOM spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday that China and Europe are both advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, as well as staunch defenders and supporters of the WTO.

In response to media inquiries regarding reports that China will convene an informal meeting of the UN Security Council next week to accuse the US of using tariffs as a tool of bullying, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday, "Recently, disregarding the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations, the US has imposed excessive tariffs under the pretext of so-called reciprocity and fairness, severely disrupting global economic order and the multilateral trading system, and seriously harming the interests and well-being of nations worldwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's spate of tariffs that have upended global trade, becoming the first US state to file legal action against the administration, BBC reported, noting that California is the first US state to file legal action against the Trump administration over the tariffs.

US stocks closed sharply lower on Wednesday as chipmaker Nvidia warned of negative impacts stemming from new US government curbs on its chip exports to China, while Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said US economic growth appears to be slowing, Reuters reported. A Chinese expert said Powell's remarks indicate that the adverse impact of US' reckless tariff policy has started to emerge, which will push up US domestic inflation and weigh on American consumers.

The Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that it will ignore the “meaningless number games,” as China has noticed that some of its exports to the US are now subject to cumulative tariffs of up to 245 percent under various pretexts, and emphasized that such move has blatantly exposed how the US has instrumentalized and weaponized tariffs with utter irrationality.

The tariffs initiated by the US government leave US consumers with fewer choices or higher prices in daily commodities, and this has been an open “secret” among global traders, several Chinese exporters told the Global Times at the ongoing 137th Canton Fair held in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province.

Outbound travel from the Chinese mainland to ASEAN destinations surged in the first quarter of 2025, driven by both steady growth in leisure tourism and booming business activity, according to a report sent to the Global Times by Chinese travel agency Tongcheng Travel on Wednesday.

The coastal city of Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, is witnessing the fast development of its yacht economy, boosted by favorable policies in the Free Trade Port (FTP).

According to the so-called reciprocal tariff policy announced by the US government, once implemented, the tariffs will impact 86 countries. Although the US later announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs on some countries, this decision did not eliminate the impact and uncertainty it introduces to the global trade landscape.

Since the beginning of the year, economists around the world have increasingly focused on a single term: uncertainty. This seemingly abstract concept now looms over the global economy like an ever-thickening haze.

Despite the disruptive impact of US tariff policies on global trade, these measures have fueled a hoarding frenzy among Americans for Made in China" products, driving Chinese e-commerce apps to the top of the US Apple Store rankings.

An executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices was signed on Tuesday in the US. The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to significantly reduce drug prices for American patients. It's a well-documented fact that the cost of pharmaceuticals in the US is higher than in many other nations, a disparity that has long fueled calls for reform in the country. However, the path to lower drug prices is now complicated by an additional factor: tariffs.

Cutting-edge lithography machines provider ASML on Wednesday announced a nearly 20 percent quarter-to-quarter net sales slide in its first-quarter fiscal report, as the executive of the Dutch company said that the US tariffs could bring additional charges on shipments of its products.

WTO: US "reciprocal" tariffs, policy uncertainty could lead to 1.5 pct decline in global goods trade

When asked to comment on a fact sheet published on the White House website stating "China now faces tariffs of up to 245 percent on imports to the US as a result of its retaliatory actions" and whether this signifies another US tariff hike on Chinese goods, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that China has noticed that some of its exports to the US are now subject to cumulative tariffs of up to 245 percent under various pretexts.

US President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on Chinese products could put "Christmas at risk" due to US' limited toy production capacity, Greg Ahearn, president and CEO of the Toy Association of the US, said in an interview with CNN.

The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians is extremely absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance, and twisted mindset, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Wednesday, in response to various comments in the UK regarding the government's takeover of British Steel, during which several politicians took the opportunity to attack all Chinese companies and the Chinese government.

The production and operation of private enterprises in China continue to improve, and China will continue to promote a healthy and high-quality development of the private sector, Sheng Laiyun, deputy director of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday.

In response to an inquiry about the White House's statement claiming China now faces up to a 245 percent tariff on imports to the US as a result of its retaliatory actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded on Wednesday that "you can ask the US side for the specific tax rate figures."

In response to a question regarding White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's remark that "The ball is in China's court: China needs to make a deal with us, we don't have to make a deal with them," which she claimed that US President Donald Trump had given her that statement directly to use, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday that the US side initiated the tariff war, and China has taken the necessary countermeasures to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, which are completely reasonable and lawful.

In response to a question about reports that China has asked domestic airlines to suspend the acceptance of Boeing aircraft deliveries and halt the purchase of aircraft-related parts and equipment from American companies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that he was unaware of the situation and suggested directing the inquiry to the relevant Chinese authorities.

In response to an inquiry about the White House's statement claiming China now faces up to a 245 percent tariff on imports to the US as a result of its retaliatory actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded on Wednesday that "you can ask the US side for the specific tax rate figures."

China's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 4.094 trillion yuan ($557 billion) in March, up 5.9 percent year-on-year. Excluding automobiles, retail sales totaled 3.661 trillion yuan, up 6 percent from the same period last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Wednesday.

In response to the question regarding the impact of the US tariffs on China's GDP,Sheng Laiyun, deputy director of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), emphasized on Wednesday that the Chinese economy has weathered many storms, and we have all overcome them.

In response to media query on concerns on the Taiwan island over the US hollowing out its semiconductor industry are growing, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that the concerns of Taiwan's industry are not groundless.

China's GDP grew by 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025, higher than broad market expectations as the world's second-largest economy got off to a very strong start and laid a solid foundation for the economy to achieve its goal of growing around 5 percent for the whole year, despite escalating US tariff pressures.

Hongkong Post has suspended the postal service for items containing goods to the US, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Wednesday.

A worker produces metal bars for overseas clients in a factory in Zijiao township, Binzhou, East China's Shandong Province, on April 15, 2025. China's foreign trade in goods in the first quarter of 2025 grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year, reaching 10.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion). Photo: VCG

Officials and business representatives from countries around the world emphasized their support for multilateralism, calling for cooperation at the ongoing China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), which is being held in South China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Friday.

The US government has recently taken a risky step with its trade policy by imposing a new wave of tariffs on key global trading partners, under the pretext of "reciprocity." While many nations have expressed strong opposition, it has become urgent for them to diversify trade and seek sustained economic growth amid the growing uncertainty and disruption caused by US' erratic tariff policies.

When a new car rolls off an assembly line in Detroit, the US, thousands of its components may originate from countries like Canada, Mexico and China. After decades under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the auto industries of the US, Canada and Mexico have developed a tightly interdependent supply chain.

Global exhibitors and investors attending the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, expressed confidence in the Chinese market to the Global Times on the sidelines of the expo, pledging to further expand business operations along with leveraging the province's strategic geographic conditions, policy measures and other favorable trade regulations within the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

In a move celebrated by Washington's political leaders as a milestone in leading the "American-Made Chips Boom," Nvidia's announcement of plans to manufacture its artificial intelligence (AI) supercomputers entirely in the US has been highlighted on the White House's official website. This initiative is part of the company's pledge to produce $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure in the US over the next four years. However, the path forward in the "American-Made Chips Boom" is likely to be more complex and fraught with challenges than the initial excitement might suggest.

The 100th reusable rocket engine of the TQ series rolled off the production line on Tuesday of a Chinese private space company, a landmark event in the development of the Chinese commercial space industry, according to China Media Group (CMG).

The137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) kicked off on Tuesday in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, with global buyers and exhibitors flooding the exhibition halls despite escalating US tariff pressures.

China has reached a significant milestone in shipbuilding with the delivery of a 24,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) vessel - the world's largest dual-fuel container ship - to the CMA CGM in Shanghai on Tuesday, according to the Science and Technology Daily.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from previously imposed tariffs to give carmakers time to adjust their supply chains, the Associated Press (AP) reported. A Chinese expert said on Tuesday that the change in tone reflects the challenges the US car industry faces amid rising costs brought by car tariffs, while Washington's erratic tariff policies will intensify the chaos and uncertainty of US trade and economy.

Amid external uncertainties, China will stick to joining hands rather than shaking fist, dismantling barriers rather than erecting walls, and fostering connectivity instead of decoupling, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday, stressing that China is the world's market and an opportunity for all countries.

The Chinese embassy in Argentina said on Tuesday it firmly opposes US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's remarks made during his visit to Argentina, accusing him of maliciously smearing China's legitimate cooperation with other nations.

In response to a question about US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's recent statement, in which he described China's investments in certain Global South countries as "rapacious," saying they take the countries' mineral rights and leave them with debts on their balance sheets, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded on Tuesday, saying that the US is not in a position to point fingers at the cooperation between China and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries.

The impact of US' tariffs on Chinese robotics company Unitree is currently limited, a Shenzhen-based regional head of Unitree Robotics told the Global Times.

The US has reportedly initiated investigations into imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals as part of a bid to impose tariffs on both sectors. A Chinese expert criticized this move as an extension of unilateralism and protectionism, which reflects the confusion and inconsistency in the US administration's tariff policy and will not achieve its goal of re-shoring US manufacturing.

In the first quarter of 2025, China's immigration authorities processed 163 million passenger trips, marking a 15.3 percent increase year-on-year, according to the National Immigration Administration on Tuesday.

As the May Day holiday approaches, Chinese travelers are showing a strong preference for short- and medium-haul overseas destinations, underscoring the burgeoning demand for a variety of travel experiences.

Recently, the US government has been wielding the stick of additional tariffs, a move that not only impacts its own economy and trade but also triggers widespread ripple effects globally, casting a shadow over the potential for a global trade war. However, this unprecedented global trade war is not inevitable. The international community needs to work together to uphold the multilateral system, strengthen cooperation and reshape the global economic landscape.

The US shocked the world by announcing sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" on all trading partners on April 2. However, less than a week later, it announced an immediate 90-day tariff pause for many countries and exclusions for steep reciprocal tariffs to some categories of products including smartphones, computers and some other electronics.

A drone assists farmers to carry crop seedlings in Sanchahe township, Qujing city, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on April 14, 2025. The Yunnan government has announced policies to grant subsidies for purchasing unmanned aerial vehicles to boost the development of local agriculture. Photo: VCG

Ships undergo maintenance at a factory in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, on April 14, 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, China's foreign trade reached a record high for the period, exceeding 10 trillion yuan ($1.37 trillion) for an eighth consecutive quarter. Photo: IC

China's first airport pet terminal is set to go into operation in May at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in South China's Guangdong Province, and it's expected to offer a convenient one-stop travel experience for domestic air passengers traveling with pets.

Aiming to tackle the increasing tariff concerns arising from the US, China's foreign trade hubs have introduced new policies to stabilize foreign trade and boost consumption, gearing up to counter the impact from the external market.

Foreign businesses from a wide range of industries, from vehicles to food and beverages, are flocking to the annual China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, as they seek to strengthen their ties with the vast Chinese consumer market.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that the Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that has business cooperation with the UK side on the basis of market principles, in response to a media inquiry regarding the UK government's announcement over the weekend that it was taking control of British Steel from the Chinese company Jingye, and the remarks by the UK's Business Secretary noting that it was "naive" for Britain to allow the steel industry to fall into Chinese hands.

China and the EU share extensive common interests and vast opportunities for cooperation in multiple areas since their combined economic output exceeds one-third of the world's total, and both sides advocate economic globalization and free trade while firmly upholding and supporting the WTO, a Chinese customs official said on Monday, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU.

China's foreign trade in goods in the first quarter of 2025 grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year, reaching 10.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion), surpassing 10 trillion yuan for eight consecutive quarters and marking a stable start to the year, as various support policies continue to take effect, official data showed on Monday.

In the sphere of global trade, the BRI serves as a powerful example of the benefits of international cooperation. Projects like the China-Europe Railway Express, the Hungary-Serbia Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have significantly lowered the costs of cross-border transportation and transactions for goods. This has led to improvements and increased efficiency in global industrial and supply chains, showcasing the real advantages of joint economic efforts.

At the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo held in South China's Hainan Province, a dedicated low-altitude economy exhibition zone made its debut, showcasing cutting-edge flying vehicles.

In response to a question about the China-EU dialogue on US tariff issues, Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that the US using tariffs as a weapon for seeking selfish gains is a typical example of unilateralism and protectionism, which damages the interests of economies around the world, including China and the EU.

In response to a question about the repeated changes in US tariff policies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday at a press conference that the Ministry of Commerce's spokesperson has already expressed China's position on the matter.

The General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China said on Monday that the country's imports have huge room for growth, and the massive Chinese market will always be a great opportunity for the world.

In the first quarter of this year, ASEAN remained as China's largest trading partner, with total trade reaching 1.71 trillion yuan ($234.17 billion), marking a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 16.6 percent of China's overall foreign trade, said Lü Daliang, a spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

In response to a question about the repeated changes in US tariff policies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday at a press conference that the facts have shown, and will continue to show that there are no winners in a tariff or trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere, adding that the US' excessive use of tariffs harms both others and itself.

Despite disruptions and the impact of the US abuse of tariffs, bilateral trade between China and the US continued to grow in the first quarter of this year, with total imports and exports reaching 1.11 trillion yuan ($152 billion), marking a 4% year-on-year increase, said Wang Lingjun, deputy director of the General Administration of Customs, on Monday, in response to a question at a press conference regarding the possibility of decoupling in the two countries' trade sector.

Chinese and EU technical teams have commenced engagement on negotiations on electric vehicle (EV) pricing commitments, Yuyuantantian, a social media account affiliated with China Media Group reported on Monday.

Commenting on a question regarding British Steel, a spokesperson from Chinese Embassy in the UK said late Sunday night that, “We are following closely the developments of British Steel involving the Chinese private company,” and have urged the British side to act in accordance with the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese company be protected.

China's foreign trade in goods in the first quarter of 2025 grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year, reaching 10.3 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion), which marks a stable start to the year, as various support policies continue to produce effects, official data showed on Monday.