Peculiarities of China's trade policy: current state and directions of development

This article analyzes the current state, main instruments, and directions of development of China's trade policy in the context of the confrontation between the two global economic leaders, China and the USA. Understanding the meaning that China embeds in the concept of "trade policy" will enable Russia to perceive the logic of China's decisions and effectively build cooperation with China in the economic sphere and the related ones. The aim of this study is to identify the peculiarities of China's trade policy. To achieve this, the article examines the main indicators and instruments of China's trade policy, considers the current viewpoints of Chinese economists on trade policy, and analyzes activities concerning its implementation. Particular attention is given to the methods China uses to increase its influence in the global economy. The findings demonstrate that through its trade policy, China aims not only to enhance its economic power but also to shape new global rules and standards, reflecting its aspiration for leadership in international economic relations. China’s tariff system and the enforcement of non-tariff measures effectively protect its domestic market from foreign competition and encourage investments in the development of competitive high-technology production on the global market. The article shows that in China, the concept of "trade policy" encompasses a broader set of tools and measures than the commonly accepted tariff and non-tariff measures. Within its trade policy framework, China addresses a range of tasks, from the internationalization of the national currency to uniting developing countries and gaining priority in setting technical standards for goods and services. It is shown that China has been working in this direction for several decades, specifically since the early 2000s.