Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT

In the first quarter of this MKS sportsyear, China's trade with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) not only demonstrated resilience but also exhibited a positive growth trajectory, achieving a total of 5.26 trillion yuan ($719.3 billion) in imports and exports. This represented a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase, surpassing China's overall trade growth by 0.9 percentage points. These numbers are far from being just mere statistics; they highlight a compelling narrative about the inherent logic of international trade expansion amid global economic uncertainties that have loomed large over international commerce.

Since the initiative was put forth in 2013, major achievements have been made in Belt and Road cooperation. The BRI's success is based on its core principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits that promote multilateralism as well as equitable and just global governance.

Over the past decade, BRI partner economies have collectively upheld multilateralism and free trade, working relentlessly to break down trade and investment barriers. They have made significant progress in enhancing their business environments, aiming to cultivate a favorable atmosphere that promotes strong economic and trade ties among themselves.

Undoubtedly, these efforts have facilitated trade growth. China's total merchandise trade with BRI partner countries reached 22.1 trillion yuan in 2024, up 6.4 percent year-on-year. This figure surpassed the average growth rate of global trade.

In the sphere of global trade, the BRI serves as a powerful example of the benefits of international cooperation. Projects like the China-Europe Railway Express, the Hungary-Serbia Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have significantly lowered the costs of cross-border transportation and transactions for goods. This has led to improvements and increased efficiency in global industrial and supply chains, showcasing the real advantages of joint economic efforts.

China's involvement in a wide range of industrial and investment cooperation projects with BRI partner countries covers various sectors, ranging from agriculture, energy, infrastructure, the digital economy to new-energy vehicles. This collaboration not only promotes the upgrading of industrial structures and the optimization of supply chains in these countries but also broadens the scope of bilateral trade. Such investment diversification is beneficial in enriching the economic landscape of the countries involved, ensuring that the advantages of trade extend beyond a single area and are spread across different sectors. This approach enhances the resilience and sustainability of their economies.

The symbiotic approach advocated by the BRI has played an important role in fostering stable growth in bilateral trade, which, in turn, has positively influenced the economies of the countries involved. This approach highlights the idea that trade growth should not be seen as a zero-sum game but rather as a pathway to mutual benefits and shared prosperity. As the world addresses the challenges posed by some countries' push against globalization, the BRI's focus on cooperation and mutual advantage provides important insights into the significance of building an economic globalization that is open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. 

In the current global landscape, the US tariff policy is casting a shadow of uncertainty over international manufacturing and trade. The essence of these tariffs, rooted in protectionism and zero-sum mentality, stands as a detriment rather than a boon to the dynamics of global commerce. Far from fostering a stable and mutually beneficial trading environment, such policies only serve to undermine the very foundation of international trade relations. It is anticipated that the current US tariff policy will severely undermine trade between the US and its trading partners as well as international trade growth this year.

The development of international trade faces severe challenges in 2025. How can we promote trade growth and find ways to sustain that growth amid these challenges?

The path to sustainable economic growth and stability lies not in erecting barriers but in embracing open trade policies that encourage cooperation, innovation and shared prosperity. Only through a concerted effort to foster open, fair and mutually beneficial trade relationships can we hope to achieve a global economy that is resilient in the face of change and capable of delivering widespread benefits to all stakeholders.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn