Recent rounds of bilateral trade negotiations between China and several major trading partners — including the European Union, ASEAN, and Brazil — have yielded concrete outcomes that directly affect exporters. While the details of each agreement differ, several common themes emerge that warrant attention from businesses engaged in international trade.

China–EU: Customs Cooperation Agreement

The China–EU Joint Customs Cooperation Agreement, finalised in November 2025, introduces mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status. Effective January 2026, Chinese AEO-certified exporters exporting to the EU benefit from:

  • Reduced physical inspection rates at EU border entry points
  • Priority processing for customs clearance
  • Simplified documentary requirements for low-risk shipments

Zhongshen International Trade holds AEO certification, meaning all shipments handled through our Export Agency service to the EU automatically qualify for these benefits.

China–Brazil: Tariff Reduction on Industrial Goods

A new bilateral trade protocol with Brazil, effective from December 2025, reduces import tariffs on selected Chinese industrial goods. Products benefiting include:

  • Industrial machinery and equipment (tariff reduction of 4–6 percentage points)
  • Chemical products and fertilisers (reduction of 2–3 percentage points)
  • Auto parts and components (reduction of 3–5 percentage points)

China–ASEAN: Expanded Cumulation Provisions

The China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (ACFTA) upgrade protocol, ratified in late 2025, introduces expanded cumulation provisions. Under the new rules, materials sourced from any ASEAN member state can be counted as originating content when determining whether a finished product qualifies for preferential tariff treatment when exported to another ASEAN member.

Our trade advisory team monitors these developments continuously and provides impact assessments to clients whose product categories are affected by new agreements. Contact us for a personalised briefing on how recent trade talks affect your specific export or import portfolio.