The White House has announced the introduction of additional tariffs aimed at China. These new duties affect a key component used in both solar panel production and computer chips.
This decision is part of the tariff policy promoted by President Trump. This policy is causing friction with trading partners and leading to increased costs for US consumers and businesses.
China's export portfolio is undergoing rapid evolution as a new generation of high-tech products emerges as key drivers of foreign trade. While electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells were previously considered China's export 'new trinity,' robots, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovative pharmaceuticals have gained momentum in the first half of this year, earning the title of the 'new new trinity.'
Analysts note that this shift reflects a fundamental change in the basis of Chinese export competitiveness. According to Pan Yazhe, a digital economy researcher from Galaxy Securities China Institute for New Development, the previous 'new trinity' was based on manufacturing capacity, where advantages went to those who could ensure large-scale production and cost reduction.
Pan emphasized that the 'new new trinity' operates under a completely different industrial logic. These are industries that intensively utilize knowledge and technology, whose competitive advantage stems from continuous research and development and constant technological iteration. Value creation has shifted from traditional factor inputs to innovation-driven growth.
China's AI industry is expanding its influence far beyond simple software exports. According to data from OpenRouter, a global AI model aggregator, Chinese large language models processed 36.11 trillion tokens in the third week of July, exceeding the previous week's figure by more than 30%. These models have held the world's top spot for weekly usage for twelve consecutive weeks.
Industry observers point out that AI exports now encompass a wide range of digital capabilities, including algorithm development, model deployment, and AI agent applications—areas often difficult to capture in standard trade statistics. Chinese AI technologies are currently being used by users in 141 countries and regions.
Chinese robots are also strengthening their positions in overseas markets, moving from demonstration technologies to practical application in industry and services. On production lines, industrial robots can tighten a screw in just five seconds with precision and speed surpassing experienced workers. In the energy sector, robots are used to repair high-voltage power lines, minimizing the need for dangerous manual operations.
Concurrently, service robots are becoming increasingly intelligent. At exhibitions, they can understand voice commands, move autonomously, and deliver requested items. In smart pharmacies, robots from different manufacturers can share the same AI platform for medication sorting, paving the way for 24-hour automated pharmacies.
Trade data indicates rapid growth in the sector. In the first half of 2026, exports of cleaning and intelligent bionic robots reached 18.09 billion yuan (approximately 2.7 billion US dollars). Total industrial robot exports amounted to 6.29 billion yuan, an 18.6% increase compared to the same period last year, reaching 141 countries and regions. The export of surgical robots increased threefold to 480 million yuan, and their markets expanded from 23 to 49 countries and regions.
China's innovative pharmaceutical industry is also changing the global competitive landscape. Earlier this year, China became the first country to approve a selective orexin receptor agonist for the treatment of narcolepsy—a rare neurological disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness. This drug is currently awaiting approval in the United States, Japan, and the European Union.
In the first half of the year, the National Medical Products Administration of China approved 38 Class 1 innovative drugs. Of these, 11 were globally novel drugs with new mechanisms of action and targets developed exclusively by Chinese pharmaceutical companies. For comparison, the total number of such globally innovative drugs approved in all of 2025 was also 11, with the share of domestic companies being less than half.
International licensing has also accelerated. In the first half of the year, overseas licensing deals reached approximately 110 billion dollars, accounting for 80% of the total volume for all of 2025. These agreements cover 10 therapeutic areas, including oncology, metabolism, immunology, and neurology, with buyers from 20 countries and regions, including the US, UK, France, and Italy.
China currently accounts for about 30% of globally developed innovative medicines, placing it second in the world. Zhu Keli, founder and dean of the China Institute of New Economy and chief expert on intellectual economy, noted that the rapid progress in these three sectors was ensured by coordinated national policy.
Zhu pointed out that China's national 'AI Plus' plan, along with targeted policies for the robotics industry and the digital transformation of the pharmaceutical sector, replaced fragmented industry measures with a more integrated policy system. According to him, 'overall, these three industries have evolved from exporting products to exporting technological systems, clinical solutions, and industrial operating models. This demonstrates China's growing competitiveness in advanced technologies.'
Decades ago, the export of clothing, furniture, and home appliances demonstrated the country's manufacturing capabilities. Today, AI, robotics, and innovative medicines show a new strength—they export not only goods but also technologies, industrial experience, and solutions aimed at solving global problems and improving people's lives. As the 'new new trinity' gains global weight, they reflect China's transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to an innovation-based economy.
