Against the backdrop of escalating Sino-U.S. trade tensions, American retail giants like Walmart initially attempted to pass on the new tariff burden to Chinese suppliers. However, following discussions with the Chinese side, their attitude changed. Recently, they have informed Chinese suppliers to resume orders and promised that the U.S. side would bear the tariffs.

Chinese exporters revealed that, affected by the U.S. tariffs imposed in early April, some U.S. importers temporarily suspended orders, leading to a year-on-year decline of over 40% in order volume in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in April. Following discussions between Walmart, Home Depot, and Trump, signs of order demand recovery have emerged.

1. Corporate strategy adjustment

- Initially, U.S. companies like Walmart planned to pass on the tariff costs to Chinese suppliers, but after discussions with the Chinese side, it was decided that the U.S. side would bear the costs, and some orders were resumed.

- Chinese exporters are adjusting trade terms, switching from DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to FOB (Free On Board) to transfer the tariff handling responsibility to U.S. importers in response to policy uncertainty.

2. The impact of the tariff war on the supply chain

- The order volume in April dropped sharply by 40% due to the U.S. side's suspension of purchases. Recent signals of recovery reflect the difficulty for U.S. retail to replace its reliance on the Chinese supply chain in the short term.

- Export companies like Wanmei Group are alleviating the impact of tariff fluctuations through flexible logistics solutions.

3. The contradictory attitude of the U.S. side and China's response

- The Trump administration has sent signals of de-escalation: on April 22, it stated that it would 'significantly reduce' the current high tariff of 145%, but did not specify the exact extent.

- The Chinese side has made its position clear: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted rumors of 'Sino-U.S. tariff negotiations' three times, emphasizing that the two sides have not engaged in negotiations on tariffs, indirectly rebutting the U.S. side's unilateral release of 'negotiation' smoke screens.

In-depth analysis:

The fluctuating attitude of U.S. retail giants exposes their deep reliance on Chinese manufacturing in the supply chain, making it difficult to shift production capacity in the short term. Meanwhile, the Trump administration attempts to exert pressure through tariffs while also releasing signals of easing due to corporate pressure, highlighting the volatility of its policy. The Chinese side maintains trade rights through firm countermeasures and dual-track communication with enterprises, ensuring both trade interests and stability in industrial chain cooperation. Future tariff battles may shift to a long-term tug-of-war, but the actual demands of U.S. companies may force policy adjustments.