当AI进入外贸，中国制造开始换一种出海方式

Core Insights - China's trade surplus has surpassed $1 trillion, signaling a critical juncture for the country's foreign trade, which now requires a new approach to sustain growth [1] - The answer to sustaining growth in foreign trade is increasingly clear: AI [1] Export Structure - Over 60% of China's exports are electromechanical products, while nearly 20% are high-tech products, with growth rates accelerating [3] Transformation in Foreign Trade - The most profound shift in foreign trade is in the "way of doing business," with AI fundamentally changing how foreign trade operates [4] - Alibaba International Station is a key example of AI transforming foreign trade, with predictions that by 2025, over 90% of merchants on the platform will use AI tools [4][6] - AI is leveling the playing field for ordinary merchants, bringing their capabilities close to the top 25% of sellers on the platform [5] AI's Role in Foreign Trade - AI covers nearly every critical aspect of foreign trade, from customer search and product display to communication and decision-making [6] - A new wave of "AI-native foreign trade enterprises" is emerging, utilizing AI as a foundational tool from the outset [6] - The evolution of China's foreign trade can be categorized into three stages: 1.0 focused on information and language, 2.0 on organizational capabilities, and 3.0 on platform traffic and refined operations [8] Advancements to 4.0 Era - AI is pushing foreign trade into the 4.0 era, where understanding foreign languages or having extensive experience is no longer necessary [8] - This shift allows more ordinary individuals and small businesses to participate in global competition, leading to a "leapfrog development" [8] Long-term Advantages - Three long-term advantages support this transformation: 1. Supply chain resilience, with China's manufacturing depth unmatched globally [9] 2. Flexibility of small and medium enterprises, enhanced by AI [9] 3. Platform ecosystem resilience, enabling small businesses to access standardized tools [9] Future of China's Foreign Trade - The $1 trillion surplus is not the endpoint; the next decade of China's foreign trade will depend on the level of intelligence and AI integration rather than sheer scale [10] - AI is dismantling the barriers of expertise, allowing for a new cycle in China's foreign trade [12]