China's Trade Surplus Hits Record High: What It Means for the Global Economy

Record Trade Surplus for China

Hong Kong: According to recent government reports, China's trade surplus soared to an unprecedented USD 1.2 trillion in 2025, driven by a surge in exports during December.

Customs statistics reveal that the nation's global surplus increased by 20% compared to the previous year, with exports totaling USD 3.77 trillion and imports at USD 2.58 trillion. In 2024, the trade surplus stood at USD 992 billion.

In December, exports rose by 6.6% year-on-year, surpassing economists' forecasts and exceeding November's 5.9% increase. Meanwhile, imports also saw a rise of 5.7% compared to the same month last year, a significant jump from November's 1.9% growth.

Despite ongoing trade tensions and geopolitical issues, analysts predict that exports will continue to bolster China's economy this year.

"We anticipate that exports will remain a significant growth engine in 2026," stated Jacqueline Rong, the chief China economist at BNP Paribas.

Although exports to the US have sharply declined since President Donald Trump intensified trade conflicts, this drop has been largely compensated by increased shipments to markets in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Robust export performance has enabled China's economy to maintain an annual growth rate close to its official target of around 5%. However, this has raised concerns in other countries about the impact of inexpensive imports on local industries.

Last month, the head of the International Monetary Fund urged China to address its economic disparities and accelerate its transition from export dependency by enhancing domestic demand and investment.