The Sino-US tariff game has escalated again. How should battery enterprises adapt to the changing times?

On April 2, since the introduction of Trump's reciprocal tariff policy, a global trade tsunami has been triggered. This series of measures taken by the US has caused a huge uproar worldwide. On April 4, China announced strong countermeasures, imposing an additional 34% tariff on all imported goods originating from the US, officially marking the beginning of a restructuring of the global trade order.

The coldest moments often come just before the first light of dawn.

This trade "war," regarded as the third launched by the US against the world in its history, has impacted global markets not only in terms of commodity trade but also in finance, capital, and even technology. Among these, the new energy industry chain is a critical link.

According to Trump's latest tariff policy,a 25% tariff on cars, engines, transmissions, and lithium batteries has already taken effect.

According to statistics,for lithium batteries and energy storage systems, the tariff structure is "3.4% base tariff + Section 301 tariff (ESS battery tariff to rise to 25% in 2026) + double 10% additional tariffs + 34% reciprocal tariff." In the short term, the tariff on power batteries will reach 73.4%, and the tariff on ESS batteries will reach 64.9%. For new energy vehicles, the overall tariff, after stacking, has risen to 147.5%.

Under the influence of the tariff policy, the competitive advantage of domestic battery producers' lithium battery products exported to the US market will be reduced. Additionally, the US's generally high reciprocal tariff policy on Southeast Asian countries has also blocked domestic transit channels through third-party countries.

As the new policy advances, increased competition in new energy projects is inevitable. In this context, the new round of tariff trade wars will have varying impacts on different segments of the lithium battery industry chain. Tremendous waves bring both dividends and opportunities, intertwined with hidden uncertainties and risks.

How should practitioners in the new energy industry adapt to the changing times? Who will stand out in this market storm? Who will be the next "CATL"?

In the darkest hour of the new energy industry, we need to seek and embrace new dawn. This is a new era, a time for both enterprises and individuals to transform and progress together.May 15-17, 2025,a grand event for batteries will capture the attention of the entire industry.

Organized by the China Industrial Association of Power Sources,the "17th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2025)"will grandly open at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. Fifteen exhibition halls will gather 3,100 enterprises from both domestic and overseas markets, showcasing innovative technological achievements from upstream raw materials to end-use applications, and from power batteries to energy storage systems, where all segments of the industry chain converge.

At the CIBF2025 Advanced Battery Frontier Technology Seminar held concurrently, Academician Sun Fengchun of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Beijing Institute of Technology will share his profound insights on the technological progress and future prospects of high specific energy ultra-fast charging solid-state batteries. Ms. Zheng Yali from the China Society of Automotive Engineers will also elaborate on the current development status and trends of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Technological Evolution and Mobility: Innovation and Perseverance Lead to a Bright Future

The tide of technology advances steadily, and the cutting-edge development and future trends of battery technology have become crucial factors in shaping the future energy landscape. Recently, BYD unveiled its "Megawatt Flash Charging" technology, enabling a driving range of over 400 kilometers with just a 5-minute charge. Several top-tier enterprises, including CATL, EVE, CALB, Farasis Energy, Gotion High-tech, Sunwoda, and SVOLT Energy Technology, are also deploying ultra-fast charging technologies exceeding 5C.

The innovation model in the new energy industry is undergoing a transformation, shifting from isolated breakthroughs to integrated development. In this pivotal year for technological self-reliance and strength, a more robust industry chain landscape is being reshaped.

Currently, top-tier battery enterprises such as CATL, BYD, EVE, Gotion High-tech, CORNEX New Energy, Sunwoda, and Lishen Battery have confirmed their participation in CIBF. Numerous material enterprises, including Dynanonic, Hunan Yuneng, and Enjie Shares, will also make a collective appearance. Representative enterprises in intelligent BMS and energy storage system (ESS) technologies will share their cutting-edge technologies during the exhibition.

In this test of our shared human destiny, open cooperation remains the key driving force. China's papermaking and movable-type printing technologies crossed mountains and seas to reach Europe, inspiring European craftsmen to refine and upgrade them into the Gutenberg printing press. This significantly reduced the cost of book production and the difficulty of accessing knowledge, spawning the Renaissance and ultimately propelling a far-reaching industrial revolution.

"Today, we stand at the forefront of a new industrial revolution, where outstanding enterprises compete fiercely and engage in joint industrial innovation. Through technological self-reliance, collaborative cooperation, and ecosystem construction, China's new energy technologies can open up new horizons," stated a relevant person in charge of CIBF.

We have witnessed China's resolute determination in its pursuit of innovation and have also felt the resilience of individuals amidst the tides of change. Despite numerous challenges, as long as we work together with one heart, the battery industry will continue to "rise and thrive," always moving forward.