MLex: China will sharply raise tariffs on US imports to 125% starting 12 April 2025, escalating the ongoing trade tensions with Washington and signalling its refusal to back down. But China also said it will not play the ‘tariff numbers game’ anymore as it no longer makes economic sense.

China has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute consultations with Canada in relation to Canada's surtax measures imposed on particular products of Chinese origin. Some of the products included steel, aluminium and electric vehicles. China claimed that the measures were inconsistent with one of the principles enshrined in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and Canada's GATT schedule of customs duty concessions and commitments. China's request was circulated to WTO members on 11 September 2024.

MLex: China has requested consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over India’s subsidies for electric vehicles and batteries, alleging that New Delhi’s measures violate WTO rules and constitute prohibited import-substitution measures, the Ministry of Commerce said on 15 October 2025. The ministry said the policies unfairly favor Indian industries, undermine Chinese companies’ interests and distort competition. Beijing said it would take ‘firm steps’ to protect its industries’ rights. Noting that several of India’s recent trade and economic policies have raised compliance concerns among WTO members, it urged India to honor its commitments and correct the alleged violations.

China has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute consultations with India regarding certain measures affecting solar cells, solar modules and information technology (IT) goods. The request, circulated to WTO members on 23 December, challenges India’s tariff treatment and other measures, which China claims favour domestic inputs and discriminate against Chinese imports. China contends that the measures are inconsistent with obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures.

MLex: In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, China has retaliated against US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hike by imposing an additional 50% tariff of its own, bringing the total new tariffs on all US goods exported to China to 84%, effective 10 April 2025. This increase is part of a new wave of countermeasures launched by Beijing on 9 April 2025 in response to the White House's decision to raise overall tariffs on Chinese goods to a minimum of 104%.

MLex: China has introduced new trade-policy compliance measures requiring central and local government departments to conduct mandatory WTO-alignment assessments before issuing policies, significantly tightening ex-ante scrutiny. The new implementation measures were released on Friday by China’s Ministry of Commerce and will take effect 30 days after publication.

MLex: China has welcomed the US decision to suspend for a year an export-control measure known as the ‘affiliates rule’, saying both sides will continue talks on future arrangements, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The suspension, effective from 10 November 2025 to 9 November 2026, means companies majority-owned by those already on the US Entity List will not face the same restrictions during that period. The ministry said Beijing is ready to work with Washington on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation to manage differences and create conditions for stable supply chains and mutually beneficial business cooperation.

MLex: China and the US have agreed to substantially reduce tariff rates over a 90-day period in their first round of trade negotiations, a significant development that has reignited optimism in global markets. In a joint statement following trade talks in Switzerland over the 10–11 May 2025 weekend, the two countries said they will maintain only a 10% tariff on each other for 90 days starting 14 May 2025—much lower than previously scaled out by US President Donald Trump on 9 May 2025.

This Practice Note is part of a multi-jurisdictional guide addressing essential aspects of forming specific business entities in global jurisdictions. Leading law firms in the Multilaw global law firm network answer key questions on this topic. This guide discusses key considerations when forming a limited liability company in China. Current as of 8 September 2025. Authors: Lixin Cui and Henry Shi, JunHe LLP, a Multilaw member firm Common entities 1. What form of entity is the subject of this questionnaire? What other forms of entities are commonly used in this jurisdiction and are the subject of another questionnaire response? The subject of this response is the limited liability company (LLC). 2. Identify other types of entities in your jurisdiction that exist but will not be the subject of a questionnaire response at this time • Partnership • Company limited by shares • Financial institution, and • Non-profit organisation General principles 3. What is the main source of law authorising this form of entity? Company law, foreign investment law, and other laws and regulations. 4.

Loan market and developments Please provide a brief overview of the current state of the loan markets in your jurisdiction and any significant recent market developments. Looking back over the past three to four years, the loan market of China has undergone a series of significant developments and changes. Note that solely for the purpose of this Practice Note, ‘PRC’ or ‘China’ means the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan. The structural reform of the financial supply-side and financial regulatory system continues to take place steadily. On 18 May 2023, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), the regulatory body for the banking and insurance sectors, was succeeded by the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA). NFRA's scope has been expanded beyond that of CBIRC, and it is now responsible for regulating all financial activities except for the securities sector. Meanwhile, a number of new regulations relating to the loan market has been gradually released. A brief summary of the key developments

A generative AI model by Chinese developers, DeepSeek, that has seen immediate global success in the week commencing 27 January 2025, particularly after it was packaged as a smartphone app, poses significant data protection concerns, European privacy watchdogs warn.

MLex: Imports of Chinese battery electric vehicles into the EU will face definitive countervailing duties ranging from 9% to 36.3% under a proposal put forward on 20 August 2024 by the European Commission and seen by MLex. The measures are slightly lower than the provisional duties that the bloc imposed on Chinese BEV imports in July 2024.