China posted a record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion in 2025, led by booming exports to non-U.S. markets, as firms diversified shipments to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America to offset pressure from U.S. tariffs.
The country’s exports to the U.S. fell 20% last year, while imports from America dropped 14.6%. Meanwhile, shipments to Africa surged 25.8%, ASEAN nations rose 13.4%, and exports to the EU grew 8.4%, underscoring China’s growing global market share.
Monthly trade surpluses exceeded $100 billion seven times in 2025, compared with just once in 2024. Chinese officials said the diversification strategy strengthened the economy against international tensions and trade frictions.
The Shanghai Composite and CSI300 indexes rose more than 1% following the data release, while the yuan remained steady. Economists noted that strong export growth helped mitigate weak domestic demand and supported continued macroeconomic stability.
Despite the record figures, analysts caution that global scrutiny of China’s trade practices, overcapacity, and reliance on exports will remain key challenges. President Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran adds a potential layer of uncertainty for China in 2026.
