Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT

Hype about China's trade diversion periodically makes headlines in Western media outlets. Some of these reports claim that Chinese products, after being curbed in the US market, are flooding other markets, an apparent attempt to sow discord between China and its trading partners. 

The latest example is a report published on Tuesday by The New York Times, headlined "China is unleashing a new export shock on the world."

But is this really the case? A deeper look reveals that these claims are unfounded and stem from malicious smears by certain Western forces that are motivated by geopolitical considerations. The true factor disrupting the global trade network isn't China; it is the ever-rising tariff barriers imposed by the US.

In the context of economic globalization, trade diversion is a normal phenomenon. When access to one market is hindered by unreasonable trade barriers, businesses naturally seek new market spaces and trade opportunities. This behavior is part of commercial activity.

The term "dumping" carries a specific definition, referring to a situation where the price of a product when sold in the importing country is less than the price of that product in the market of the exporting country, with an injurious effect on the relevant industry in the importing country. Judging from the actual situation, China's trade diversion does not meet this definition.

Moreover, while expanding exports to other markets, China's imports from these countries are also rising, sometimes even at a faster pace. Take ASEAN as an example. China's trade with ASEAN has been on the rise for many years, demonstrating a robust and mutually beneficial relationship.

Why does The New York Times turn a blind eye to these facts? It all boils down to geopolitical considerations. Currently, global public opinion is focused on the trade protectionism and trade barriers of the US. The US tariffs have led to a contraction in global trade and put global industrial and value chains at risk of fragmentation, seriously damaging the interests of countries around the world.

The World Trade Organization in April cut its forecast for 2025 global merchandise trade from 3.0-percent growth to a 0.2-percent decline, citing further US tariffs and spillover effects as the reason. Last week, the World Bank slashed its global growth forecast for 2025 by four-tenths of a percentage point to 2.3 percent, saying that higher tariffs and heightened uncertainty posed a "significant headwind" for nearly all economies.

In this context, some Western media outlets are attempting to divert international attention from unilateral US protectionist practices against China by hyping the "China shock" narrative, so as to deflect public scrutiny and criticism from Washington's misconduct and muddy the waters.

However, facts speak louder than words. Protectionist policies of the US have not, as it wished, cut off links in global trade and industrial chains. On the contrary, they have prompted countries to be more proactive in seeking diversified market cooperation opportunities. Almost all countries that trade with the US are striving to find more markets to boost their exports. They are also considering how to form more markets through cooperation to reduce their dependence on the US market.

In this global shift, China has played a significant role through opening-up. By unswervingly expanding opening-up, from continuously reducing the negative list for foreign investment access to hosting the China International Import Expo to build a global sharing platform, supporting the shift from exports to the domestic market and vigorously implementing policies to stimulate domestic demand, China is providing certainty and new opportunities for the world through its actions.

It is crystal clear as to who is truly disrupting global trade and who is upholding free trade. At a time when US tariffs bring uncertainty to the global economy, it is more essential than ever for economies worldwide to promote cooperation rather than letting narratives like "trade shock" further fragment global trade.