CCPIT: China's foreign trade holds firm despite global headwinds

China's foreign trade sector held firm against a surge in global trade disputes during March, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said on Friday.

At its May regular press briefing, CCPIT released the global economic and trade friction index for March. The composite index stood at 126, indicating a high level of global trade tensions. The value of trade measures involved increased by 26.1 percent year on year and surged by 152.3 percent month on month.

Among the 20 countries and regions monitored, the United States and India topped the rankings for trade friction levels. The U.S. has seen the highest value of trade-related measures for nine consecutive months. Notably, in the first quarter of 2025, the United States introduced the most tariff, export control, and sanction measures globally.

Despite mounting external pressures, China's foreign trade has demonstrated notable resilience. In April 2025, trade promotion agencies nationwide issued a total of 711,500 certificates, including certificates of origin, ATA carnets, and commercial documents—up 21.45 percent year on year. This reflects the continued stable growth of China's foreign trade, with import and export volumes reaching the second-highest level on record, delivering a stronger-than-expected performance.