Analysis and Impacts of International Trade Policies: Trends, Influencing Factors, and China's Strategic Choices in a Changing Global Economic Landscape

In-depth analysis of international trade policies reveals their significant impacts on global economic growth, employment, technological progress, and other key areas. However, various factors must be considered in formulating and imple-menting trade policies to avoid negative consequences. Looking ahead, as the global economy continues to evolve, there is an urgent need to further improve the international trade policy system and promote the sustainable development of the global economy. Free trade policies are regarded as the ideal path to maximize welfare for partic-ipating countries, while protectionist trade policies are often criticized as the culprit behind welfare losses. Nevertheless, when examining the intricate land-scape of the real economy, trade protectionism persists extensively, leading to a noticeable divergence between theory and practice. A closer inspection reveals that international trade policies of various countries exhibit diverse characteris-tics shaped by different historical periods, developmental stages, and volatile international environments and conditions.