China's record surplus: $1.2 trillion in positive territory despite trade wars

China recorded a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion in 2025, authorities in Beijing announced on Wednesday. The world's No. 2 economy increased exports by redirecting goods to Asia and Africa, offsetting a drop in trade with the U.S. due to U.S. tariffs.

– The growth dynamics of global trade seems to be insufficient, and the external environment remains difficult and complex – said Wang Jun, Vice Minister of Customs Administration on Wednesday. However, he noted that thanks to the diversification of partners, “China's ability to resist risk has increased significantly.”

This change in strategy is there a direct reaction to the escalation of the tariff war with the US after Donald Trump's return to the White House. Chinese companies, wanting to bypass American barriers and compensate for losses, aggressively turned their attention to emerging markets to sell their goods there.

Customs data shows that Beijing effectively cushions the effects of political tensions. Although exports to the USA dropped by 20 percent last year and imports from this direction by nearly 15 percent, Chinese companies have conquered other markets. Exports from China increased by 5.5% overall on an annual basis. compared to 2024

Sales to Africa increased by nearly 26 percent, and to Southeast Asian countries by over 13 percent. An increase of 8.4 percent was also recorded in trade with the European Union.

Strong exports are now crucial for China, which is struggling with a persistent real estate crisis and weak domestic demand.

However, such a large trade surplus raises concerns among foreign partners that their markets will be flooded with cheap Chinese goods. The automotive industry remains the driving force – car exports increased by over 19%, keeping China as the world leader in this industry.

From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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