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Reorganization of Global Trade
The elimination of the de minimis tax exemption for China in the United States has triggered a reorganization of Asian supply chains. Far from shrinking, e-commerce giants are redirecting their logistics capacity toward the European single market, intensifying competitive pressure on the retail sector in Spain.
The recent decision by the president's administration Donald Trump to eliminate the tariff exemption known as "de minimis" for shipments from China This has generated a ripple effect in global trade. This measure, which allowed the import of packages valued at less than $800 without tariffs or taxes, was the cornerstone of the business model of e-commerce giants such as Shein y TemuHowever, instead of halting their operations, Chinese companies have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for adaptation, reconfiguring their logistics strategies to circumvent the US blockade.
Sources in the international logistics sector confirm that these platforms are implementing sophisticated triangulation operations. Instead of making direct shipments from ChinaThey are establishing consolidation and distribution centers in third countries, such as MéxicoFrom there, the products are re-exported to the US market under a different origin. This geostrategic reorganization of their supply chains allows them, in practice, to neutralize a significant part of the impact of protectionist policies. Washington.
The European single market as a new battleground
The most significant side effect for Spanish companies is the foreseeable diversion of a substantial portion of this massive low-cost supply towards the Unión EuropeaWith access to the US consumer market becoming more restricted and expensive, the single market, with its high connectivity and purchasing power, becomes the priority target. This translates into an intensification of competition for the Spanish retail sectorfrom large chains like Inditex o Mango even small and medium-sized businesses, which were already facing strong pressure from Asian operators.
The Chinese strategy not only affects retail trade, but also logistics infrastructure. Large Spanish ports such as Valencia y Algecirasas well as other key European nodes such as RóterdamThey could experience an increase in the traffic of goods originating from these new triangulated routes. Although European regulations on low-value imports differ from those in the United States, the ability of Chinese platforms to optimize their shipments and exploit any regulatory loopholes foreshadows a new scenario of heightened demands for customs and tax administration.
In this context, the protectionist measure of Estados UnidosDesigned to safeguard its internal market, the policy has led to a reorientation of trade flows that is now testing the resilience of European businesses. Industry associations in España and other member countries have already conveyed their concerns to Bruselas, urging a review of the common trade policy to avoid market distortion. For Spanish executives, the analysis of the trade war between Washington y Pekín It has ceased to be an external issue and has become a direct factor that threatens to redefine the national competitive landscape.
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