Green competitiveness is reshaping international trade rules

In an era of deepening economic globalization, international trade rules are undergoing profound changes. Some countries or groups of countries are gradually promoting this change by formulating new systems and bills. From the "climate trade rules" such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Battery Act, the British CBAM, and shipping carbon emission reduction launched by the European Union, to the "carbon border tax" successively considered and launched by G7 member states such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Japan, these measures all incorporate green development concepts and climate actions into international trade rules, further emphasizing the connection between climate and environmental issues and economic trade. It also reflects the shift in the balance of economic and political power among major powers and the response to the restructuring of global industrial and supply chains. Green and low-carbon development is an effective way to explore the sustainable development of global economy and trade. Green competitiveness characterized by green and low-carbon levels is reshaping global industrial chains, supply chains and international trade rules.

Green competitiveness refers to the ability of enterprises to provide environmentally friendly products and services through green management and technological innovation on the basis of environmental protection, thereby gaining sustainable competitive advantages in the market. This concept emphasizes the combination of economic benefits and ecological sustainability and aims to promote the development of businesses and society in a greener direction. For example, some companies actively develop and apply renewable energy technologies, which not only reduces production costs, but also increases the added value of products and enhances market competitiveness. Enterprises with strong green competitiveness can stand out in the international market and win the favor of global consumers. At the same time, they can also help reduce resource consumption and environmental pollution and contribute to sustainable development.

There are many reasons why green competitiveness reshapes international trade rules. First, the severe situation of global climate change forces countries to take action. Problems such as extreme weather and sea level rise caused by climate change pose a huge threat to human survival and development. In order to meet this challenge, countries have formulated strict environmental regulations and emission reduction targets to promote the transformation of their economies to a green and low-carbon economy. Countries are paying increasing attention to climate change, and the adjustments in relevant policies, regulations and legislation are increasing, which will inevitably have a profound impact on international trade rules and encourage enterprises and countries to pay more attention to the improvement of green competitiveness. Second, changes in demand in the international trade market have forced the rules to adjust accordingly. It is mainly reflected in the growing demand of global consumers for green and environmentally friendly products. As people's awareness of environmental protection increases, more and more consumers are willing to choose environmentally friendly, green, healthy and sustainable products. This change in consumption concepts has forced companies to increase investment in green technology and increase the green content of products to meet market demand. Therefore, in international trade, products with green competitiveness are more likely to gain market share, thereby promoting the development of international trade rules in a greener and environmentally friendly direction. In addition, the unsustainability of traditional international trade models has also led to changes in international trade rules. Traditionally, product developers and manufacturers have paid more attention to manufacturing costs and efficiency, while often ignoring environmental costs. This model has led to excessive consumption of resources and gradual degradation of the environment, and has been unable to adapt to the requirements of sustainable development on a global scale. In order to achieve coordinated development of economy, society and environment, international trade rules must be adjusted to encourage enterprises to adopt green production methods, improve resource utilization efficiency, and reduce environmental pollution. It is worth mentioning that the continuous emergence of emerging international trade rules, such as carbon tariffs, has also put forward higher requirements for green competitiveness. Carbon tariffs are a trade measure based on carbon emissions that aims to encourage companies to reduce carbon emissions by imposing tariffs on high-carbon emitting products. The implementation of this rule will make green competitiveness an important threshold for enterprises to participate in international trade and further promote the green transformation of international trade rules.

Reshaping international trade rules by enhancing green competitiveness will not only bring positive impacts and favorable opportunities to the development of all countries, but also cause them to face certain pressures and challenges. With the deepening of green and low-carbon development, green and environmentally friendly products are popular in the international market. Countries will actively strengthen scientific and technological innovation, increase research and development and investment in green and low-carbon technologies, and continuously develop green, environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Enhance product competitiveness is conducive to the transformation and upgrading of domestic industrial structure and green development, thereby better integrating into the global industrial chain and supply chain. Products that pass low-carbon certification and green labeling in international trade can win more market trust and sustainable economic returns for enterprises, and then continuously enhance enterprises 'green market share in global industrial and supply chains and expand their international Competitive advantage. This trend will also strengthen green trade cooperation and exchanges among countries and regions, promote the creation of green trade rules, strengthen green and low-carbon technology innovation, promote green, low-carbon and high-quality development of international trade, and achieve win-win results for global economic development and environmental security. At the same time, the reshaping of international trade rules means the emergence of new international trade barriers. International trade rules that incorporate the characteristics of green and low-carbon development reflect the increasingly prominent green barriers in international trade. This poses a huge challenge for many developing countries and countries that rely on high-carbon emission industries. Exports of products with high-carbon footprints will face higher tariffs and entry thresholds, which may lead to the possibility of significantly weakening the competitive advantages and trade advantages of these countries, which in turn will affect domestic economic growth and fiscal revenue. To avoid higher tariffs or meet green standards, companies may need to invest in greener technologies and raw materials, or conduct additional certification and testing, resulting in increased production costs. These costs may eventually be passed on to consumers, affecting the price competitiveness of products. In addition, if the unified standards are imposed are too high and do not fully consider the differences in development levels of countries, especially the actual situation of developing countries, it may aggravate inequality in global trade, lead to unnecessary trade frictions, and trigger greater political and economic differences, creating a wider gap between rich and poor, which is not conducive to world peace and stability.

Green competitiveness reshaping international trade rules is one of the important trends in global trade. Countries need to adapt to development trends, constantly adjust strategies, seize opportunities, actively and effectively respond to these changes and challenges, and strive to enhance green competitiveness. First, strengthen policy guidance and institutional support to create a good policy environment for green trade development. Actively align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, formulate laws and policies in line with international green standards, and provide solid policy support for enterprises to enhance their green competitiveness. Revise and improve export policies to ensure that products and services can meet the green requirements of importing countries. Formulate and implement policies to encourage green development, such as establishing special funds, tax incentives, subsidy policies, etc., to encourage enterprises to carry out green innovation and technological transformation. Secondly, enhance independent innovation capabilities, vigorously develop green and low-carbon technologies, and promote industrial transformation and upgrading and green development. Support the research and development and promotion of green technologies in clean energy, energy conservation and emission reduction, resource recycling, etc., reduce carbon emissions in the production process through technological innovation, enhance product competitiveness, and at the same time develop new low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and sustainable products to meet the needs of the international market for green products. In addition, technological innovation is used to optimize industrial structural adjustment, promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and promote the development of green industries such as new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection industries. Finally, we will further strengthen international cooperation and exchanges, enhance consensus on green development, and promote the green transformation of global industrial and supply chains and the reshaping of international trade rules. Actively participate in international climate change negotiations and the formulation of international trade rules, proactively seek multilateral cooperation, fulfill international commitments, and jointly promote the establishment of a more equitable and sustainable international trade rules system. Strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in green technologies, promote mutual learning of advanced green technologies and management experience among countries, inject new growth drivers into international trade, and jointly promote the reconstruction and transformation and development of global industrial and supply chains.

Against the background of the global response to climate change and promoting the goal of "carbon neutrality", green competitiveness characterized by green and low-carbon levels is reshaping global industrial chains, supply chains and international trade rules. Governments around the world should fully realize this trend and actively take measures to enhance the green competitiveness of enterprises in order to adapt to and promote changes in international trade rules. Only in this way can we gain an advantage in the fierce competition of economic globalization and achieve a win-win situation between economic development and environmental protection.