The Expansion of Protectionism
and the Transformation of the Global Trade Order
The United States has long led the WTO, emphasizing free trade and fair competition to nations worldwide, and actively supported China's accession to the WTO in 2001. After joining the WTO, China leveraged its low-cost labor to become the “world's factory” and experienced rapid growth.
As low-cost Chinese products flooded in, developed nations, including the U.S., began imposing regulations like raising tariffs on China to protect their industries. However, as U.S. restrictions tightened, China shifted its low-cost offensive to European and South American markets, triggering a domino effect of protectionist winds spreading globally.

WTO Framework and China
Accession in 2001 and Rapid Growth

Becoming the World’s Factory
Low-Cost Expansion and Market Penetration

Regulatory Measures and Domino Effect
Global Spread of Protectionism