Exploration of the Strategy of Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences in Cross-Border E-commerce Cooperation

Cross-Border E-commerce Negotiation Strategy of Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences

With the continuous deepening of globalization, cross-border e-commerce has become an important part of international trade. Against this backdrop, cross-border e-commerce negotiations between countries have become particularly significant. These negotiations are not only about discussions on trade rules but also a process of mutual understanding and integration of culture, economic policies, and business practices among different countries and regions. Adopting the strategy of seeking common ground while reserving differences is crucial in cross-border e-commerce negotiations.

In recent years, China, as one of the largest e-commerce markets globally, has witnessed remarkable development in cross-border e-commerce. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, China's cross-border e-commerce import and export volume reached 2.1 trillion RMB in 2025, increasing by 9.8%. This growth not only reflects the vitality of China’s domestic market but also highlights China’s significant position in the global e-commerce domain. However, with the expansion of the scale of cross-border e-commerce, the diverse demands of various countries in taxation, logistics, intellectual property protection, and other areas have grown increasingly complex. Therefore, it is necessary for negotiating parties to find common ground while respecting each other’s differences.

Taking the Sino-US cross-border e-commerce negotiation as an example, both sides have significant differences in aspects such as product classification, tariff levels, and data privacy protection. The US side tends to favor strict regulatory measures to ensure a fair competitive environment, whereas China emphasizes flexibility and innovation. In this situation, both parties chose to start with issues that were easier to reach consensus on, such as simplifying customs clearance procedures and strengthening cross-border payment security. Through these specific cooperative projects, the two countries gradually built a foundation of trust, which then enabled further discussion on more complex issues. This step-by-step approach helps avoid the breakdown of negotiations due to initial differences in positions.

Regional cooperation also provides new ideas for cross-border e-commerce negotiations. For instance, multiple countries under the Belt and Road Initiative are exploring the establishment of a unified cross-border e-commerce platform aimed at reducing transaction costs and improving efficiency. In this process, different countries need to coordinate their technical standards and service norms, which is undoubtedly a challenging task. However, it is precisely in the face of such challenges that the concept of seeking common ground while reserving differences plays a key role. All parties strive to find the greatest common divisor while allowing necessary personalized options. For example, some countries may wish to retain localized payment methods, while others might prefer adopting internationally recognized standards. Through such a balance mechanism, a framework that is both widely applicable and accommodates special needs has been ultimately formed.

It is worth noting that besides official efforts, civilian forces also play an indispensable role in cross-border e-commerce negotiations. Industry associations, corporate alliances, and academic institutions often provide intellectual support through hosting seminars and publishing research reports. For instance, a well-known e-commerce platform once joined hands with several multinational corporations to call for more transparent cross-border e-commerce tax policies, an action that received widespread support and pushed relevant topics onto the formal agenda. This demonstrates that active participation from all sectors of society is equally essential for promoting the healthy development of cross-border e-commerce.

In summary, adopting the strategy of seeking common ground while reserving differences in cross-border e-commerce negotiations means focusing on long-term interests while respecting short-term realities; pursuing common goals while acknowledging individual differences. Only in this way can we build an open, inclusive, mutually beneficial, and win-win cooperation pattern globally. In the future, with technological progress and social changes, cross-border e-commerce will continue to face new opportunities and challenges. Adhering to this principle will undoubtedly help us better cope with these changes.