The Yiwu marketplace, often referred to as the world's 'supermarket' located in East China's Zhejiang Province, exhibits notable resilience in exports during the first half of 2025, despite the considerable challenges posed by U.S. tariffs. Merchants like Bao Haigang report a bustling pace of business, indicating optimism for trade as the year progresses.

Bao, who manages Yiwu Feitun Electronic Product Co, which specializes in TV boxes, Bluetooth speakers, and chargers, has seen impressive double-digit growth. His company is successfully penetrating new markets in Africa and Central Asia, maintaining a consistent flow of orders from clients across the globe, from Latin America to Asia.

The onset of 2025 has been marked by global trade uncertainties exacerbated by U.S. tariffs. April brought sweeping tariff announcements impacting all trading partners, including China. Yet, during this turbulent period, Yiwu has managed to report solid export growth, illustrating the strong resilience of China's export sector.

With official data regarding China's imports and exports for the first half scheduled for release next week, the experiences of Yiwu merchants suggest a broader trend of adaptation and agility. Many business owners share similar sentiments, indicating that they have been exceptionally active in fulfilling demands from international clients.

Zhang Lei, who operates a small commodity factory in Yiwu, reflected this sentiment as he prepared a significant toy shipment for an urgent foreign client. The frenetic order fulfillment stems from clients' desire to act quickly amidst growing uncertainties in global trade, reinforcing the idea that unpredictability has intensified the urgency for businesses.

Merchants in Yiwu have shown remarkable adaptability, actively seeking opportunities amidst challenges. The rise of e-commerce clients is evident, as businesses leverage a well-managed supply chain to address both domestic and international market needs.

On the governmental front, local authorities have implemented tangible support measures for businesses navigating global trade complexities. Yiwu's strategic focus has been on expanding international market reach into regions like Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa, marking 14 new overseas projects signed in just the first half of the year.

The collaborative efforts between businesses and local government are evident in the projections for the Yiwu small commodity market. Forecasts anticipate a net profit attributable to shareholders ranging between 1.63 billion yuan to 1.7 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, indicating a substantial year-on-year increase.

While comprehensive data for the first half has yet to emerge, the statistics from the first five months show a remarkable 23.7 percent year-on-year surge in Yiwu's total imports and exports, consistent with the robust performance of China's exports, which increased 7.2 percent.

Looking ahead, Yiwu merchants maintain a positive outlook for the remainder of the year. Factors contributing to their optimism include opportunities presented by the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Business owners like Wen Congjian are already seeing orders from U.S. clients, anticipating that the World Cup preparations will drive a busy season.

Wen's company stands out for offering a comprehensive range of World Cup-related products, underpinning their strategic approach of patenting designs and expanding their presence on platforms like Amazon. As Yiwu continues to enhance its competitiveness through quality and affordability, optimism remains high for growth heading into the second half of the year.

Merchants firmly believe that their strong product competitiveness and adaptability will sustain growth opportunities. With long-term cost advantages and a reputation for quality, Yiwu's manufacturing sector is well-positioned to navigate the ongoing fluctuations in the global market.