China's Commerce Ministry announces initiatives to stabilize foreign trade in 2025

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Wednesday announced a set of initiatives to stabilize foreign trade in 2025, focusing on digitalization, green trade, and expansion of global business platforms amid growing external risks and challenges.

At a press briefing in Beijing, MOFCOM officials outlined plans to accelerate the development of new foreign trade drivers by embracing digitalization. This includes expanding the use of electronic trade documents and encouraging digitalization of the entire trade chain, aiming to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Green trade will also be a priority, with efforts to help foreign trade enterprises adopt sustainable, low-carbon practices. Steps will be taken to promote the construction of smart logistics platforms overseas, as well as support cross-border e-commerce trade fairs and matchmaking events in regions with suitable infrastructure, thereby creating more opportunities for businesses to showcase products and for matchmaking between supply and demand, according to the officials.

"We will continue to compile and publish the 'Country Trade Guide' and other foreign trade promotion documentations, strengthening information exchange between Chinese and international businesses. We will actively expand the global network of high-standard free trade zones, establish new trade facilitation working groups on the basis of consultation, and pragmatically address the bottlenecks and challenges in bilateral trade to create more business opportunities," said Meng Yue, director of the Foreign Trade Department at the Ministry of Commerce, at the press briefing.

In addition, China will leverage major trade platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the Canton Fair to further market opening, boost imports, and foster innovation in international trade. These efforts are designed to transform China's vast market into a big opportunity for the world, according to the officials.

China's Commerce Ministry announces initiatives to stabilize foreign trade in 2025

China's Commerce Ministry announces initiatives to stabilize foreign trade in 2025

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday night that the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States to end the war could take place within the next few days.

In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, Araghchi said that upon finalized, the MoU will be signed digitally by both sides in their respective countries and then announced. He added that following the potential signing, both parties will commit not to initiate any other war, and will begin the second stage of negotiations, scheduled within a 60-day period, to reach a final agreement, focusing mainly on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal.

He stressed that Tehran insists that the only acceptable way of dealing with its highly enriched uranium will be diluting it within Iranian territory.

Araghchi also said that the potential MoU would include provisions for ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, requiring Israel to withdraw from the occupied areas.

Other key issues in the MoU include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the full lifting of the U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, and the release of Iran's frozen assets, he noted.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said its management will definitely not to return the pre-war era. While Iran will retain sovereignty and a military presence, a legal system consistent with international law will be established, he said.

He ruled out tolls for passage but noted that charging service fees will be reasonable.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States had "just made a great settlement of the war with Iran," with an agreement expected "over the next few days."

Over recent weeks, Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan's mediation, and have been working to finalize an MoU to end the war.

Iran's FM says signing of MoU with US possible within few days