Archive · 16 Jan 2026
China Achieves Record $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus in 2025
China had a very successful year in 2025 with its exports.
It made a record amount of money from trading with other countries, which is called a trade surplus.
This happened even though the U.S. put high taxes, called tariffs, on Chinese goods.
China sold a lot more cars and electric vehicles to other countries.
To keep this success going, China is trying to buy more things from other countries and make its trade more balanced.
It also changed some of its trade laws to make them fairer.
Even with these high U.S. taxes, China is still doing well in global trade and expects to keep growing in 2026.
China reported a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion in 2025, despite U.S. tariffs.
Exports grew by 6.6% in December 2025, beating expectations of a 3.0% increase.
Imports increased by 5.7% in December 2025, higher than the forecasted 0.9%.
China's auto exports jumped by 19.4%, with electric vehicle shipments up by 48.8%.
China is shifting its focus to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America to offset U.S. duties.
- Who
- China
- What
- Achieved a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion in 2025
- When
- 2025, with data reported on January 14, 2026
- Where
- Globally, with a focus on Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Why
- Due to strong export performance and shifting focus to new markets amid U.S. tariffs
China's Perspective
U.S. Perspective
Trade Surplus
China's Perspective
China views the record trade surplus as a sign of strong export performance and successful diversification of markets.
U.S. Perspective
The U.S. sees the trade surplus as a result of unfair trade practices and aims to reduce it through tariffs.
- Trade Surplus
- $1.189 trillion
- Export Growth (December 2025)
- 6.6% year-on-year
- Import Growth (December 2025)
- 5.7% year-on-year
- Auto Exports (2025)
- 5.79 million vehicles (19.4% increase)
- EV Exports (2025)
- 48.8% increase
- U.S. Duties on Chinese Goods
- 47.5%
- Expected Export Growth
- Continued global market share gain in 2026
- Trade Law Revisions
- Passed in two readings, signaling shift towards freer trade
Sources
China hits record $1.18 trillion trade surplus despite Trump tariffs
China Records $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus In 2025, As Exports Rose 6.6% In December
After $1.2 tn surplus, China trains guns at US for trade imbalance through high-tech export curbs – Firstpost
China's economic wins: Largest-ever trade surplus of $1.2 trillion, consolidation of top automaker status
China posts record $1.19 trillion trade surplus in 2025 amid weak local consumption and deflation fears
Audi Misses Sales Target Despite Strong End to the Year
China's 2025 Trade Surplus At Record $1.2 Trillion Despite Trump Tariffs
Mint Quick Edit | China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus makes it clear Beijing isn’t slowing its export machine down
Trump’s tariffs reduced China’s surplus with US — and made it the world’s headache
China sees record $1.2 trillion trade surplus despite Trump's tariffs — What led to the robust growth?
Donald Trump thought his tariffs would hurt China. He was wrong
