Are global trade alliances about to realign? Countries may push for "de-Americanization" to reshape global trade rules

Editor's note: The article is written by Zhou Jianjun, assistant researcher at the Institute of State System Research and School of Economics, Zhejiang University. It reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

Trump's global tariff policies in 2025 have triggered a strong backlash among US trade partners. The "America First" policy is compelling countries to reassess their interests and may usher in the most significant reconfiguration of the geo-economic landscape. If the United States continues to impede the dispute settlement mechanism, countries may push for interim de-Americanization arbitration programs to reshape global trade rules.

Hinder free trade

US "reciprocal tariffs" have severely hindered free trade, resulting in a heightened risk of global economic recessions.

Trump's tariff policies have drawn fierce criticism in the US, viewed as the most damaging act of economic self-sabotage in US history and the most severe policy misstep in 95 years. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 expedited the Great Depression and slashed global trade volumes by two-thirds between 1929 and 1934. The US has imposed a blanket 10 percent tariff on all trading partners, with some facing even steeper rates, up to 145 percent on imports from the world's leading exporter, China. In response, JPMorgan has raised the global recession odds to 60 percent, a jump of 20 percentage points from its previous estimates. Other institutions have similarly revised their forecasts of economic recessions upward.

International opposition

Trump's reckless policies have provoked international opposition, prompting many countries to advance "de-Americanization" measures.

The US's tariff blow has not only targeted China but also adversely affected traditional US allies, such as the EU, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. On April 7, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is actively exploring trade opportunities beyond the US, seeking to expand its cooperation with other global partners. The following day, she held a phone call with Chinese officials, reaffirming the EU's commitment to preserving the multilateral trade system. On the same day, the Prime Minister of Singapore emphasized the need to deepen collaboration with the country's 27 FTA partners and actively accelerate ASEAN economic integration. Malaysia's Prime Minister also pledged that day to make full use of the country's ASEAN Chairmanship to strive for a collective ASEAN response to US tariff policies. These efforts reflect that countries are forging closer partnerships beyond the US in an attempt to soften the blow of "reciprocal tariffs" through strategies such as a realignment of global trade alliances and a shift toward "de-Americanization."

International coordination

Reshaping global trade rules will require coordinated efforts from all countries, and China has a key role to play.

Trump's tariff policies have compelled countries to reassess their interests and reshape the global trade order and geo-economic landscape. In the past, the US leveraged its hegemonic power to dominate global economic operations and value distribution, reaping substantial profits and establishing itself as the world's largest consumer market. However, "reciprocal tariffs" will raise the cost of accessing the US market, reduce other countries' dependence on the US market, and prompt them to develop new industrial and supply chains outside the US, ultimately forming fresh production-consumption cycles. China's comprehensive industrial system and vast domestic market empower the country to make greater contributions to global trade on both the production and consumption sides. It can supply the world with high-quality, competitively priced goods while also serving as a major consumer of agricultural products and industrial goods. In doing so, China can drive prosperity and development of global trade and play a pivotal role in reshaping international trade rules.

China can also partner with other countries in the following key areas to advance the reshaping of global trade rules: 

First, efforts should be made to jointly promote trade reconciliation and the removal of additional tariffs. China and the EU could take the lead in lifting the additional tariffs the EU imposed on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, along with other unreasonable trade restrictions. 

Second, WTO rules must be upheld, and its dispute settlement mechanism must be strengthened. China can cooperate with other countries to issue joint statements through various channels in defense of WTO rules and apply pressure on the US through international public opinion campaigns to reinforce the WTO's role in resolving trade disputes. 

Third, it is essential to accelerate the development of free trade areas and promote zero-tariff implementation. China can work with partners such as the EU, ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea to build larger and more comprehensive free trade areas, expanding the scope of products eligible for zero-tariff imports. 

Fourth, high-standard institutional opening up should be advanced, and market access barriers should be eliminated. China can join hands with other countries to roll back unreasonable market protectionist and entry systems so as to foster a more open, transparent, fair, and reasonable system for global trade and investment.