Part 8/13:
The declining Western presence at the Canton Fair is emblematic of broader shifts in global trade. Data indicates that European and American buyers have dwindled from approximately 20% of participants to as low as 10.5%, with actual attendance possibly even lower. Conversely, this year's fair saw a dramatic increase in Belt and Road participants, now comprising about 64% of attendees—mainly small, price-sensitive buyers interested in low-cost orders and extended credit.
This demographic realignment signifies a move away from traditional Western markets—a consequence of political tensions and escalating trade restrictions—toward Belt and Road economies that are more accessible but often less profitable or technologically advanced.