WSJ What’s News The ‘New Silk Road’ of Cheap Chinese Goods
8 snips
Dec 18, 2025 
Chelsey Dulaney, a trade and global commerce journalist at The Wall Street Journal, joins Luke Vargas to discuss the significant changes in global trade. She reveals how a U.S. crackdown on low-value imports has drastically rerouted Chinese exports to Europe. Chelsey highlights the emergence of new airlines and routes in Central Asia that facilitate this shift, transforming the logistics landscape. The conversation also touches on innovative drop-shipping methods and regulatory changes in the EU affecting low-cost goods.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Shadow Logistics Rerouted Exports
- China redirected low-value exports to Europe after U.S. de minimis and tariff moves reshaped global flows.
- New air routes, warehouses, and local sellers built a shadow logistics network across small European hubs.
E‑Commerce Firms Shift Advertising To Europe
- Chinese e-commerce platforms shifted marketing from the U.S. to Europe after U.S. policy changes.
- Social media fueled rapid consumer uptake through viral “Timu” and “Tiktok haul” videos in Europe.
Small Airports Became Major Hubs
- Shipments route through unexpected small airports like East Midlands, Liege and Hungarian hubs rather than only big capitals.
- New carriers and rerouted flights form a ‘New Silk Road’ connecting China to Europe via Central Asia stops.