International Trade News
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International Trade News for January 2025
Summary of the USA TikTok Ban and its Impact on UK eCommerce Retailers
In January 2025, the United States Supreme Court upheld a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its USA operations or face a ban. This decision led to TikTok becoming temporarily unavailable in the US on 18th January, 2025.
However, shortly after, President Donald Trump issued an executive order granting a 75-day extension for TikTok to continue operations while negotiations are on.
UK eCommerce retailers relying on TikTok to reach American audiences face reduced visibility and sales, impacting TikTok Shop usage and influencer campaigns. UK retailers must diversify marketing to platforms like Instagram and YouTube, and monitor US regulatory updates to adapt strategies for market engagement.
Canada Post Strikes: GFS Ensures Business Continuity
The recent Canada Post strikes caused delays in Economy and Untracked services. GFS swiftly supported UK retailers by switching to unaffected DDP services and pro-active communication to assist retailers during disruptions, ensuring deliveries continued with minimal disruption. As of 17th December 2024, Canada Post operations resumed, though delays persist due to backlogs.
GFS remains committed to helping businesses maintain reliable international deliveries despite ongoing challenges.
Chinese New Year: A Golden Opportunity for UK Retailers
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant celebrations for Chinese communities worldwide. In 2025, it falls on 29th January, marking the start of a week-long holiday filled with traditions, gifting and festive shopping. Consumers spend significantly on clothing, home decor, electronics, luxury goods and food. Additionally, the popularity of eCommerce among Chinese shoppers opens up opportunities for international retailers to tap into this demand.
How Can UK Retailers Take Advantage?
Festive Collections:
Create limited-edition packaging or gift sets
Targeted Marketing:
Use culturally relevant campaigns and bilingual materials
Optimised Shipping:
Partner with services like GFS for fast, reliable global deliveries
Local Engagement:
Cater to Chinese communities in the UK with festive promotions