While Beijing has been focused on high-profile trade disputes with major economies such as the United States and the European Union, an increasingly protectionist sentiment among smaller trading partners presents a different kind of challenge and a complex landscape for Chinese exports.

In an interview last week, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai pointed out that there has been an increase in the use of trade remedies against China by developing countries.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce made its first determinations involving transnational subsidies under new regulations that allow these subsidies to be countervailed, in four linked cases on solar products. These determinations could eventually lead to litigation in U.S. courts or at the WTO on this issue.

As the result of a vote by EU member states today, the European Commission can move forward with its proposed tariffs on Chinese EVs, although negotiations with China on a resolution may continue.

A new report from the European Commission on its trade defense instruments (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguards) documents its use of these measures against China, as well as the Chinese measures against the EU, in 2023.

With EU member states scheduled to vote this Friday on imposing countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles, the European Commission official in charge of the investigation has provided an update on the state of play, including negotiations with China.

China's commerce officials are in Europe this week, intensifying their efforts on negotiations to avoid EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.