ASIATODAY.ID, BEIJING – The global trade war appears to be entering a new phase.
The Chinese government has announced plans to cut import tariffs on 935 products, effective January 1, 2026. The move targets strategic raw materials for advanced manufacturing, medical equipment, and green energy technologies as part of Beijing’s efforts to boost domestic demand and strengthen key national industries.
China’s State Council Customs Tariff Commission said that the temporary import tariffs will be set below the most-favored-nation (MFN) rates applied to World Trade Organization (WTO) members.
The cuts include resource-based commodities such as recycled black powder for lithium-ion batteries, as well as medical products including artificial blood vessels and diagnostic kits for certain infectious diseases.
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the initiative aims to “enhance synergy between domestic and international markets” and expand the supply of high-quality goods in the domestic market.
The Commission emphasized that imports that strengthen China’s technological independence, support the transition to a green economy, and improve public welfare will receive lower tariffs.
Additionally, China will remove temporary tariffs on certain products, including micromotors, printing machines, and sulfuric acid, restoring them to MFN rates.
The move also strengthens regional trade cooperation, including preferential tariffs on imports from Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar under the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement.
China will continue its zero-tariff policy on 100% of tariff lines for 43 least-developed countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing. This policy reinforces China’s role as a key player in the global supply chain and underlines its domestic economic expansion strategy for 2026.
Beijing’s decision sends a clear signal in the global trade war, particularly amid tensions with major powers like the US and Japan, which have responded with increased military budgets and heightened scrutiny of strategic supply chains. (ATN)
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