谁将成为绿色贸易“新主力”

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is prioritizing the development of green trade as a strategic initiative to enhance trade optimization, achieve carbon neutrality goals, and accelerate the construction of a strong trade nation in response to climate change and international competition [1][2]. Group 1: Green Trade Development in China - The State Council, led by Premier Li Qiang, has outlined measures to expand green trade, positioning it as essential for economic transformation and international competitiveness [1]. - China's green trade exports have seen significant growth, with high-end equipment related to new production capabilities increasing by 22.4% year-on-year in the first three quarters of the year [1]. - In 2022, China's green trade import and export total reached $1,079.28 billion, accounting for 12.2% of global green trade, an increase of 2.3 percentage points since 2013 [2]. Group 2: Global Green Trade Trends - Global green trade has shown stable growth, with an average annual growth rate of 0.85% from 2013 to 2022, reaching $6.5 trillion in the first three quarters of 2023 [2]. - Green trade accounted for approximately 18.17% of total global trade in 2022, reflecting a slight decrease despite overall trade growth [2]. Group 3: Challenges in Green Trade Mechanisms - Existing green trade mechanisms face challenges, including limited effectiveness and slow progress, with non-tariff barriers becoming significant obstacles to green trade liberalization [3][4]. - Non-tariff barriers, such as inconsistent technical standards and complex certification processes, are major hindrances to the free trade of green products, particularly in the electric vehicle sector [4][7]. Group 4: RCEP as a Platform for Green Trade - The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is seen as a potential optimal platform for promoting regional green trade due to its members' consensus on trade liberalization and diverse economic structures [5][6]. - Experts suggest that RCEP can facilitate the establishment of green product standards and streamline customs processes for electric vehicles and related components [6][7]. Group 5: Recommendations for Enhancing Green Trade - Recommendations include eliminating tariffs on green and low-carbon products, as current tariffs can be as high as 20% in the RCEP region [7]. - Reducing non-tariff barriers is crucial, with suggestions for measures such as simplifying import/export quotas, coordinating standards, and utilizing digital tools for data sharing [7].