Thursday, January 15, 2026- China’s trade surplus climbed to a record nearly $1.2 trillion in 2025, marking a roughly 20 percent increase from the previous year as global demand for its goods remained strong and exports continued to outpace imports.
Total exports rose about 5.5 percent to roughly $3.77 trillion, while imports were comparatively flat at around $2.58 trillion, widening the gap between what China sells abroad and what it buys from other countries. This surplus figure surpasses the previous year’s total of roughly $992 billion, highlighting robust trade performance despite global economic headwinds.
A key driver of the surge was China’s ability to diversify its export markets amid continued trade tensions with the United States. Exports to the U.S. fell sharply by about 20 percent as high tariffs remained in place, but Chinese manufacturers offset these declines with strong sales to regions including Africa, Southeast Asia, the European Union, and Latin America. In December alone, exports climbed 6.6 percent year-on-year, beating expectations and providing momentum into the end of the year.
Despite the landmark surplus, economic analysts warn that China’s heavy reliance on exports rather than domestic consumption poses long-term challenges, especially as global protectionism rises and demand in some markets weakens.
Officials and economists have noted that sustaining economic growth will require not only continued foreign sales but also stronger internal demand and investment. Still, the record surplus underscores China’s role as a central hub of global trade and its ability to adapt to shifting market conditions.
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