Archive · 9 Jan 2026
China Surpasses US as Leading Trade Power
For a long time, the United States was the biggest trader in the world.
But now, China has taken the top spot.
In the year 2000, the US traded goods worth $2 trillion, while China traded goods worth $474 billion.
Fast forward to 2024, and China's total trade is now $6.2 trillion, compared to the US's $5.3 trillion.
China has become the largest trading partner for many countries in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Experts say that this change happened because of many reasons, including trade disputes and long-term planning by China.
It's a big shift in the global economy!
China's total trade with the world is now $6.2 trillion, surpassing the US's $5.3 trillion in 2024.
In 2000, the US's total trade was $2 trillion, while China's was $474 billion.
China has become the largest trading partner for most countries in Asia, Africa, and South America.
The shift in global trade leadership is attributed to tariff and geopolitical tensions, as well as long-term economic strategies.
This change marks a significant shift in the global economic landscape over the past two decades.
- Who
- China and the United States
- What
- China has become the world's leading trade power, surpassing the United States
- When
- As of 2024
- Where
- Globally, with significant trade partnerships in Asia, Africa, and South America
- Why
- Due to a combination of factors including tariff and geopolitical tensions, as well as long-term economic strategies
- US Trade in 2000
- $2 trillion (Rs 180.24 lakh crore)
- China Trade in 2000
- $474 billion (Rs 42.73 lakh crore)
- US Trade in 2024
- $5.3 trillion (Rs 477.64 lakh crore)
- China Trade in 2024
- $6.2 trillion (Rs 558.74 lakh crore)
- China's Trading Partners
- Most countries in Asia, Africa, and South America