Global Trade Friction Index Remained Elevated for 11 Months in 2024

On March 28, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) released its Global Trade Friction Index, revealing that the index remained at high levels for 11 months in 2024, with a monthly average increase of 18 points year-over-year (YoY). The global trade friction landscape remains severe, with the index for January 2025 recorded at 106, reflecting a YoY increase of 8.3% and a month-over-month (MoM) rise of 1.8% in trade friction-related measures.

By Country: Among the 20 monitored countries and regions, the U.S., the EU, India, South Korea, and Turkey experienced persistently high friction index levels for more than half of the months in 2024.

By Industry: The electronics, machinery, transportation equipment, and chemical sectors were the primary industries affected by trade frictions in 2024. In January 2025, the electronics sector continued to lead the index, indicating ongoing trade tensions in this field. Companies in these industries are advised to establish long-term risk monitoring and response mechanisms to effectively anticipate and mitigate trade frictions.

Among the five monitored categories of trade measures, the top three in 2024 were:

1) Other restrictive measures

2) Technical trade barriers

3) Trade remedies

Additionally, import-export restrictions and other restrictive measures remained at high levels, while trade remedy measures increased YoY.

In January 2025, the 20 monitored countries and regions collectively introduced 22 new import-export tariff measures, with other restrictive measures ranking highest on the index.