International Trade News for March 2025
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Reintroduction of US Tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China
The US Government has announced that 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada will take effect from Tuesday, 4th March at 12:01 a.m. EST (05:01 GMT).
The US Government advised that it will increase tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20% from the previous 10% levy at the same time; this higher rate of duty will apply to goods made in or shipped from China.
Canada, Mexico and China have all indicated that they will impose reciprocal tariffs on specific US goods and industries.
CROSS-BORDER ECOMMERCE NEWS
🇪🇺 EU Enforces Digital Markets Act Against Major Tech Companies
The European Commission has taken decisive action against Google and Apple under the Digital Markets Act, citing anti-competitive practices. Google is being investigated for prioritising its parent company Alphabet’s services in search results, while Apple faces scrutiny over restricting third-party developer access.
🛍️ Why it matters for eCommerce: If stricter regulations force changes to app store policies and search rankings, online retailers and marketplaces may need to adjust their digital strategies to maintain visibility and customer engagement.
🌍 US Trade Policies Prompt Asian Market Diversification
The US government’s renewed tariff policies are prompting Asian economies to reduce their reliance on the US market. This shift is driving increased regional trade within Asia and stronger partnerships with European and Middle Eastern economies.
Impact on international exporters: Businesses trading internationally must explore newer markets for international expansion to diversify their customer portfolio and avoid heavy dependency on select international markets.
See How GFS can help with scaling internationally.
SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH: China 🇨🇳
They might be in the news for many reasons in the last few weeks, but China continues to remain an eCommerce powerhouse as the world’s largest eCommerce market, accounting for over 50% of global online retail sales. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and a digitally savvy consumer base, the opportunities (and challenges) for UK are vast.
Take a look at the potential this market holds:
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
We’ve put together a comprehensive list of upcoming public holidays in key international regions. This resource ensures you stay informed so you can resolve any customer queries on parcel timings closer to public holidays in their region.