Overview
- Customs reported total goods trade of 45,470 billion yuan in 2025, up 3.8% year over year, with exports up 5.5% and imports up 0.5% to 18,480 billion yuan.
- The trade surplus reached nearly $1.2 trillion, the largest on record for any country according to the released figures.
- Bilateral trade with the United States shrank 18.7% in 2025, with Chinese exports to the U.S. down 20% and imports from the U.S. down 14.6% in dollar terms after a tariff conflict that eased with an October truce.
- Trade with the European Union grew about 6% in 2025, and customs officials said the Chinese market will open more in 2026.
- Officials cited technology export curbs by some countries as a drag on imports, noted December gains in both exports and imports, and cautioned that new U.S. tariff threats keep the outlook fragile.