On the afternoon of April 23rd, sunlight slanted across Zone 4 of Yiwu International Trade Market. Argentine buyer Juan Martínez stepped into a daily necessities store, picked up a silicone spatula from the shelf, and couldn’t resist marveling in Spanish at its quality. His mind instantly drifted back to Buenos Aires—where, as his family cooked, the same spatula would be "at work" in the aroma-filled kitchen, its "Made in Yiwu" stamp quietly woven into the daily lives of Argentinians.

As dusk fell over New York City, a blogger nicknamed "Dollar Bro" hawked a viral "Pop-Eyed Dragon Squishy Toy" from Yiwu on the streets using his signature "patchwork English." Leveraging his infectious salesmanship and playful interactions with the toy, this Yiwu trinket soared to global popularity.

From kitchenware to household essentials and now internet-sensation toys, Yiwu-made products have quietly infiltrated households worldwide. Even amid complexities like U.S. tariff threats, they continue to exhibit resilience through product diversity, reliable quality, and innovative marketing—becoming a vital bridge linking global commerce to everyday life.

Faced with overlapping uncertainties and hefty tariffs, how is Yiwu’s foreign trade foundation being fortified? What new growth drivers are being ignited? Our reporter delved into Yiwu International Trade Market to uncover how foreign trade entities are rising to challenges, striving for innovation and excellence in their relentless pursuit of progress.

Where There's a Will, There's a Way to Overcome Challenges

As seasons shift from spring to winter, the showroom of Yiwu Duofu Artificial Flowers Co., Ltd. seems touched by nature’s own colorist, forever adorned with lush greenery and floral splendor. Chen Jinbao, founder of Duofu and a veteran who pivoted from nearly a decade in domestic trade to foreign markets, finds the recent hot topic among peers inescapably centered on U.S. tariff hikes. "Everyone repeats the same mantras: ‘diversify risks,’ ‘don’t put all eggs in one basket,’" he muses. Faced with a shifting trade landscape, Yiwu’s foreign traders are recalibrating strategies with grit, adapting to market shifts while tirelessly seeking silver linings amid crises.

Having weathered market storms—from global supply chain disruptions to rising trade barriers—Chen and his peers have cultivated a resilient calm. Now, as new challenges emerge, he taps his procurement list with quiet resolve. "In Yiwu, entrepreneurship thrives on audacity—there’s always a way around obstacles," he affirms. Recent talks with U.S. clients have steadied his nerves: American consumer demand for Chinese goods remains steady, even as shipments to the U.S. temporarily stall. Once tariff issues resolve, clients will prioritize restocking.

"What images does Africa evoke for you?" For many, perceptions linger of a continent still developing economically and building infrastructure. Yet Ding En, president of the Yiwu Africa Chamber of Commerce, highlights Africa’s untapped potential. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion across 50-plus nations, the continent rivals other major markets in scale. Moreover, Africa’s burgeoning internet and e-commerce sectors teem with imagination and opportunity.

Recently, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce launched a "Cross-Border E-Commerce New Market Expansion Initiative" in partnership with global platforms to stabilize foreign trade and spur growth. Covering Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, South America, Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Japan-Korea, the campaign includes Egatee, a B2B platform targeting Africa’s diverse markets.

Through these platforms, foreign trade firms gain direct access to both B2C consumers and B2B buyers. Egatee CEO Zha Jiulan told our reporter, "We’ve connected 20,000 premium African B2B traders with Zhejiang enterprises and Yiwu merchants, projecting annual procurement volumes of 20 billion yuan. Recently, we’ve launched a dedicated ‘CHINA FACTORY’ portal on Egatee’s homepage—Yiwu exporters are warmly invited to join."

Amid economic globalization, overseas markets have emerged as pivotal for enterprises seeking a second growth engine. This year’s Yiwu Government Work Report underscores proactive overseas market expansion, targeting emerging regions like the Middle East, South America, and Africa to propel brands globally. By balancing "going global" for local traders and "bringing in" foreign buyers, Yiwu aims to organize over 20 delegations, engage 1,500+ firms, and attract over 1 million international buyers.