In the first half of 2023, the Global Economic and Trade Friction Index remained at elevated levels every month, although it was generally lower than the same period in the previous year. The data indicates that competition among major countries remains pronounced, but there is a clear trend of policy adjustments by major nations, with measures becoming more targeted and focused.

        From a national (regional) perspective, competition among major countries remains pronounced. In the first half of 2023, India, the United States, and the European Union were the primary countries (regions) causing global economic and trade friction. India had 6 months with the Global Economic and Trade Friction Index at elevated levels, while the United States and the European Union had 5 months each, and Japan had 2 months.

       Regarding the China-related economic and trade friction index, the primary initiators of friction involving China were the United States, the European Union, India, Brazil, and Turkey. The data suggests that Western countries, such as the United States, continue to be at the center of global and China-related economic and trade friction conflicts, but India and Japan show more pronounced data performance in this regard.

        From a subcategory perspective, there has been a new increase in the use of import and export tariff measures and trade remedy measures. In the first half of 2023, the Global Economic and Trade Friction Index for import and export tariff measures and trade remedy measures showed year-on-year growth for 4 months, making it the subcategory with the most months of year-on-year growth.

         In terms of the quantity of measures, in the first half of 2023, trade remedy measures implemented by various countries (regions) saw an almost 50% year-on-year increase. India, the United States, and Canada were the main initiators of trade remedy measures related to China. The data indicates that Western countries like the United States are not only frequently applying measures such as import and export restrictions and sanctions, imposing restrictions on advanced technology and products allegedly involving "forced labor," but they are also using traditional policy tools such as import and export tariffs and trade remedies to create economic and trade friction involving China, often coordinating with their allies in these efforts.

        From an industry perspective, the primary focus of global economic and trade friction, including friction involving China, has been on the electronics, machinery and equipment, and light industry sectors. In the first half of 2023, the Global Economic and Trade Friction Index for the electronics, machinery and equipment, and light industry sectors remained at elevated levels for 6 months. The data indicates that the electronics, machinery and equipment, and light industry sectors are the primary areas of conflict in global economic and trade friction, and current global economic and trade friction, including friction involving China, has expanded from traditional labor-intensive industries to encompass advanced technology sectors.