Overview
- Exports rose 5.5% in 2025 to $3.77 trillion while imports were about $2.58 trillion, with December exports up 6.6% and imports up 5.7% year on year.
- Shipments to the United States fell roughly 20% in 2025, offset by stronger sales to ASEAN (about 13%), Africa (about 26%), the European Union (about 8%) and Latin America (about 7%).
- Monthly surpluses surpassed $100 billion seven times last year and the cumulative surplus crossed $1 trillion in November before reaching $1.189 trillion for the full year.
- Beijing has begun moderating export support by scrapping tax rebates for solar products and accelerating revisions to the Foreign Trade Law, while leaders publicly call for expanding imports.
- Economists expect exports to remain a key growth pillar in 2026 despite geopolitical risks, including the possibility of new U.S. tariff moves even after a recent truce.