China's tariff reduction benefits the world
2024-01-11
Argentine media recently reported that China's measures to adjust import and export tariffs have greatly benefited Argentine commodities such as dairy products, seafood, sweet corn, and coriander seeds. The background of this report is that starting from January 1, 2024, China has implemented temporary import tariffs lower than the most favored nation rate on 1010 goods and zero tariffs on some products, including tariffs on 143 Argentine agricultural and industrial products. From the current international environment, China's decision to reduce tariffs is quite difficult. The overall level of tariffs is an important reflection of a country's level of openness. After joining the World Trade Organization, China has continuously lowered tariffs and expanded imports. In recent years, protectionism and unilateralism have intensified, and some countries have generalized the concept of national security, implemented technological blockades, raised trade barriers, and impacted the multilateral trading system. The international trade environment has become increasingly severe. Faced with numerous challenges, China continues to reduce tariffs and expand market openness. The total level of tariffs has decreased from 15.3% in 2001 to 7.3% in 2023, demonstrating its firm stance in supporting economic globalization and demonstrating the strategic determination of a world power to expand its opening-up. China's measures to reduce tariffs allow the international community to better share the opportunities in the Chinese market. Commodities from various countries are accelerating their entry into the Chinese market and entering the homes of ordinary people. Take Argentina as an example. Driven by favorable trade policies such as tariff reduction, the bilateral trade volume between China and Argentina has risen against the trend in recent years in the face of the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, reaching about 25.5 billion dollars in 2023. At present, China is Argentina's second largest trading partner and the largest agricultural product export market. In the face of economic difficulties in Argentina, the steady development of China Argentina trade has provided tremendous assistance to the Argentine economy. Therefore, it is not surprising that Argentine media is full of expectations for China's latest tariff adjustment measures and has increased coverage. Some least developed countries have also benefited greatly from China's targeted tariff reduction measures. In order to support and assist the least developed countries in accelerating their development, in 2021, China announced the further expansion of the range of products with zero tariff treatment for the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. A preferential tax rate of zero will be applied to 98% of tax items originating from the least developed countries. In 2024, preferential tax rates will continue to be implemented for the least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and completed the procedures for document exchange. The market opportunities brought about by relevant measures are extremely precious for the least developed countries. It is a vivid footnote to "providing new opportunities for the world with China's new development" and fully reflects China's great power responsibility. It should be pointed out that China's tariff adjustment not only benefits the international community, but also fully benefits the domestic economy and people's lives. For example, in recent years of tariff adjustments, pharmaceuticals have always been a key area for tax reduction. Many import tariffs on anti-cancer drugs, rare disease drugs, and related raw materials have been reduced to zero, effectively improving the accessibility and affordability of medication for a large number of patients; Reducing tariffs on some key mineral raw materials has helped domestic enterprises reduce production costs and enhanced the resilience of related industrial and supply chains. China's openness and win-win situation for the world are reflected in this. (Lai Xin She)
Edit:YiJing Responsible editor:LiYi
Source:paper.ce.cn
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