For decades, the consensus was clear: free trade was the engine of global prosperity. Ronald Reagan famously championed it, and most economists still agree that tariffs act as a drag on the American economy. So, when the rules changed in 2016 and tariffs disrupted global trade, many were hoping that...
As we emerge from the Covid-19 supply chain nightmare and dust ourselves off, we note that some companies were able to react immediately to market opportunities. They placed orders and planned deliveries, secure in their knowledge that their supply chain will deliver. Those companies did really well when the market...
There is a photograph that remains etched in our minds. In it, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are leaning toward one another, captured in a moment of apparent intimacy. They are smiling, their body language suggests a shared confidence, a moment of genuine human connection amidst the gilded backdrop of...
The complexity of purchasing in China requires more than just a contact list; it requires an operational partner. While China remains the "World’s Factory," the hurdle for most buyers isn't finding a supplier; it's finding a reliable one that offers transparency and long-term stability. For businesses aiming for cost-effectiveness, professional...
Companies looking to buy direct from China often aim to reduce costs, improve margins, and gain better supplier control. In international trade, there is an ancient piece of wisdom often cited by the most successful supply chain directors: “未雨绸缪” (Wèi yǔ chóu móu) — "Repair the roof before it rains." ...
If you are sourcing products from China, the Alibaba ecosystem is almost impossible to avoid. However, many buyers unknowingly conflate very different platforms under the “Alibaba” name, leading to sourcing mistakes, misaligned expectations, and unnecessary risk. Alibaba Group operates dozens of platforms, but only two are directly relevant to international...
When tariff headlines fade, many importers breathe a sigh of relief and move on, but that reaction is increasingly expensive for those handling China sourcing services. Recent tariff threats tied to U.S.–Greenland negotiations offer a useful case study, not because of whether the tariffs ultimately happened (or will happen), but...
Chinese wholesale markets are a great tool for anyone looking to experiment with importing goods for their small business. In this guide, we will cover wholesale markets in China, important tips on dealing with wholesale suppliers, and how a China sourcing agency can help streamline the process of sourcing and...