E-commerce Demand Not Going Away Despite U.S. Clampdowns

U.S. moves to stifle Chinese e-commerce through bans and tariffs fail to stem consumer demand.

Despite the U.S. administration enacting a series of trade restrictions against Chinese e-commerce companies, including a ban on TikTok and WeChat, demand for online shopping continues to surge.

In the first half of 2021, e-commerce sales in the U.S. reached $434 billion, a 26% increase over the same period in 2020. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to more people shopping online for convenience and safety.

Another factor driving the growth of e-commerce is the increasing popularity of mobile shopping. In 2021, mobile commerce accounted for 54% of all e-commerce sales, up from 49% in 2020. This growth is being driven by the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, as well as the growing popularity of mobile shopping apps.

Despite the U.S. administration's efforts to stifle Chinese e-commerce companies, demand for online shopping from China continues to grow. In the first half of 2021, Chinese e-commerce companies accounted for 15% of all e-commerce sales in the U.S., up from 12% in 2020.

The growth of e-commerce in the U.S. is a major trend that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The convenience, selection, and affordability of online shopping are all major factors driving this growth.