In the just - past 2024, Chinas foreign trade overcame the complex and changeable external environment and severe challenges, successfully achieving steady growth in exports and structural optimization. Official statistics show that in 2024, Chinas total foreign trade import and export value reached 43.85 trillion yuan (about 6.2 trillion US dollars), a year - on - year increase of 5%, reaching a new historical high. Looking back on this year, there were frequent new elements: multiple innovative elements including new business forms, new brands and new products jointly contributed to China maintaining its position as the worlds largest goods trading country.
Starting January 1, 2025, travelers entering Egypt with more than one mobile phone equipped with a foreign SIM card may face on-the-spot high tariff payments. According to Egypts latest official regulations, each passenger can only bring one duty-free phone for personal use. Exceeding this limit requires immediate payment of a 38.5% tariff based on the phones value, or the device will be barred from entry.
With just one week left in Trumps presidency, the White House announced new restrictions on the export of AI chips produced by U.S. tech companies like Nvidia. According to a White House statement, the policy aims to strengthen U.S. security and economic power and ensure U.S. dominance in the rapidly evolving AI field. While it remains uncertain whether the next administration will revise the policy, the industry has closely scrutinized this hastily implemented rule, believing it will profoundly impact global chip trade and cross-border AI technology exchanges.
In mid-December 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced tariffs ranging from 21.31% to 271.2% on solar cells imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, depending on the manufacturers specific circumstances. This move has introduced new uncertainties for Chinese companies already operating or planning to expand into Southeast Asia, forcing them to accelerate the development of countermeasures.
The Canadian government recently announced stricter export controls on high-tech products and components in specific sectors. According to the announcement, the affected items include additive manufacturing equipment, key components for quantum computing, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography-related parts, and high-temperature coating R&D technologies. Once the order takes effect, Canada will play a more gatekeeping role in global precision manufacturing and cutting-edge research, potentially significantly impacting supply chain layouts and international collaborations for domestic and foreign companies.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) recently issued an important notice stating that starting from January 1, 2025, all goods exported to Saudi Arabia must submit certification applications through the SABER system before shipment and obtain both the Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and the Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC).
Uzbekistan will implement a series of new policies, including tax adjustments and customs clearance optimization. How will these changes affect its trade and investment environment?