Japanese government plans to increase import tariffs on Chinese apparel products

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the largest newspaper in Japan, the Japanese government recently decided to increase import tariffs on more than 400 kinds of Chinese products. According to the plan formulated by the Japanese government, in the future, from the products imported from China, the number of products that do not enjoy “preferential tariffs” will increase from 13 to about 450. Product categories include daily necessities, clothing, and agricultural products. The Japanese government plans to implement it formally on April 1.

It is understood that in recent years, China's exports to Japan have grown sharply, with annual imports exceeding 10 trillion yen. According to statistics, Japan's ex-gratia tariff quota is 5.5 billion yen, of which about 20% are enjoyed by China. In 2010, 36 of the 78 product areas used ex-gratia tariffs, and reached the upper limit, with more than 500 varieties. The Japanese side believes that lowering the utilization ceiling of a country can reduce China’s share of the use, which will benefit other developing countries. Foreign trade data show that the Japanese market is currently the third largest market in Zhejiang except for Europe and the United States.

"Nihon Keizai Shimbun" uses the silk tie as an example. Japan's annual import volume is 10 billion yen. If the general tax rate is to be used, it will be subject to a 13.4% tariff. After enjoying preferential tariffs, the tax rate will be zero. “Since this program has not yet been formally implemented, the impact on foreign companies in Zhejiang cannot be judged yet. However, the export volume will inevitably drop when it comes to product categories that do not enjoy the “Ex-gratia tariff system.” Raising import tariffs on Chinese products may lead to domestic The retail price of commodities has risen," said a person in charge of the General Office of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce.

According to reports from the Japanese media, Japan has always adopted a low-tariff "preferential tariff system" for products imported from China and other developing countries from the perspective of supporting economic development. However, considering that China will surpass Japan to become the second largest economy in the world, the Japanese government believes that if the system continues to be implemented on Chinese products, it will deviate from its original intention of “helping the poor.”