China has announced it will no longer seek Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) in future World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, signaling a significant shift in its trade policy and an acknowledgement of its economic power.

• On September 23, 2025, Premier Li Qiang made the announcement, indicating China's willingness to compete as a major trading power.
• This move addresses long-standing criticism, particularly from the United States, regarding China's dual identity as a developing country despite being the world’s largest goods exporter.
• The decision aims to clear a path for substantive talks at the 2026 ministerial conference in Cameroon on issues like subsidy rules and dispute settlement, potentially reshaping global trade politics.