This episode contains segments on:
- China April foreign trade data;
- US-China joint decision to reduce mutual tariffs; and
- China April Price Indices.
Listeners are also invited to join a hybrid event China’s Healthcare Sector – What Role for European SMEs? on 19th May.
Contact:
We’d love to hear your feedback. Contact us at website@europeanchamber.com.cn.
Follow the European Chamber on LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat (europeanchamber), and sign up for our newsletter here, to get notified on new episodes.
Read more:
US-China joint decision to reduce mutual tariffs
https://www.news.cn/world/20250512/38cf894078aa487a9a510ef8f087f590/c.html
China April foreign trade data (GACC)
http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/zfxxgk/2799825/302274/302275/6502846/index.html
http://www.customs.gov.cn/customs/302249/zfxxgk/2799825/302274/302275/6502928/index.html
China April Price Indices (NBS)
https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202505/t20250510_1959770.html
https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202505/t20250510_1959771.html
European Chamber event: China’s Healthcare Sector – What Role for European SMEs?
Transcript:
RUI: Hello and welcome to China ShortCuts,
MARIANN: the European Chamber’s weekly catchup on China’s business landscape.
RUI: This episode was recorded on 14th May 2025.
(MUSIC)
RUI: China’s export growth slowed in April, but its pace still significantly exceeded expectations of analysts who projected only minimal growth following the United States imposing steep tariffs on goods imported from China.
MARIANN: According to data released by China’s customs authority on 9th May, in US dollar terms the total value of the country’s exports rose 8.1 per cent year-on-year in April. The reading showed a slight dent in export growth after March, when China’s outbound trade increased 12.4 per cent. However, it was far above the median forecast of 1.9 per cent growth. Imports continued to decline in April, but only marginally at 0.2 per cent year-on-year, which was the mildest drop of the past three months. As a result, China’s foreign trade surplus was the lowest level recorded since last October, totalling at 96 billion dollars.
The European Union was China’s largest trading partner among single market entities both in April and in the first four months of the year. In the January-April period, China’s total exports to the EU grew 4.9 per cent year-on-year, while its imports from the bloc dropped 9.2 per cent, adding further to concerns over the EU-China trade imbalance. Despite the mutual tariffs and other trade barriers, the United States remained China’s second largest single market trade partner, albeit its exports to the US dropped 2.5 per cent and its imports from the US decreased 4.7 per cent year-on-year in the first four months of 2025.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 12th May, the United States and China announced their decision to reduce tariffs on each other’s goods after trade talks held in Geneva, Switzerland during the days prior.
MARIANN: In a joint statement, the two sides said that starting from 14th May, they would remove 91 per cent of the tariffs mutually imposed in April. A further 24 per cent of tariffs will be suspended for 90 days. These moves will bring US tariff rates on Chinese goods to 30 per cent, while US imports to China will be subject to 10 per cent tariffs.
The European Chamber is encouraged by the decision, but uncertainty remains. This is partly because certain tariffs have only been suspended temporarily, and partly because of the erratic nature in which these tariffs were implemented in the first place. Businesses need predictability to maintain normal operations and make investment decisions. The Chamber therefore hopes to see both sides continue to engage in dialogue to resolve differences, and avoid taking measures that will disrupt global trade and result in collateral damage for those caught in the cross-fire.
(MUSIC)
RUI: In April, China’s producer prices entered into their 31st consecutive month of decline, while consumer prices dropped for the third month in a row, due to pressures stemming from persistent weak domestic demand and the escalation in trade tensions.
MARIANN: Data from the statistics bureau published on 10th May showed that producer prices fell 2.7 per cent compared to a year ago. This was the steepest decline recorded in the past half year. Concerns over deflation only increased further as consumer prices also continued to dip in April, although the year-on-year rate of decline was minimal at 0.1 per cent and unchanged from the previous month.
(MUSIC)
RUI: China’s healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing, with some estimates placing its value at 8 trillion RMB and consistent double-digit growth over the past years. A key driver of this growth is China’s rapidly aging population—in tandem with a growing, increasingly affluent middle class—which has created surging demand for healthcare services, pharmaceuticals and medical innovations.
To meet these needs, the Chinese government launched its ‘Healthy China 2030’ strategy in 2016, which focuses on improving public health, enhancing service capacity, expanding the health industry and strengthening the service system.
MARIANN: This presents a wealth of opportunities for European companies, many of which have experience dealing with similar healthcare-related issues in their home markets, making them well-positioned to offer innovative and adaptable solutions in China. However, they also face challenges such as complex regulations and intense local competition.
RUI: Join us on 19th May online or in person in Shanghai to find out more about the opportunities and challenges that China’s booming healthcare sector presents to European SMEs.
(MUSIC)
MARIANN: Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to tune in again next week.
RUI: In the meantime, please find useful links in the episode notes.