China’s trade surplus stood at USD 213.62 billion in the first two months of 2026, exceeding market expectations of USD 196.6 billion and following a record surplus of USD 1.189 trillion in 2025. Exports surged 21.8% yoy to USD 656.58 billion, accelerating sharply from a 6.6% rise in December and far surpassing forecasts of 7.1%. The jump marked the fastest growth in shipments since October 2021, boosted by firm global demand and a strong start to the year. Meanwhile, imports climbed 19.8% to USD 442.96 billion, well above expectations of 6.3% and quickening from 5.7% in December. It was the strongest pace of purchases since early 2022, reflecting solid domestic demand during the festive season. China merges January–February trade data to smooth distortions from shifting Lunar New Year timing, which typically disrupts activity. Trade balances are likely to draw attention ahead of a planned visit by U.S. President Trump to Beijing at the end of March for talks with Xi Jinping. source: General Administration of Customs

China recorded a trade surplus of 213.62 USD Billion in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in China averaged 18.56 USD Billion from 1981 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 213.62 USD Billion in February of 2026 and a record low of -61.99 USD Billion in February of 2020. This page provides - China Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

China recorded a trade surplus of 213.62 USD Billion in February of 2026. Balance of Trade in China is expected to be 105.00 USD Billion by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 94.00 USD Billion in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-14 03:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Dec $114.1B $111.68B $113.6B $ 105B
2026-03-10 03:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Jan-Feb $213.62B $114.11B $179.6B $165.0B
2026-04-14 03:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Mar $213.62B $ 105B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Passanger Car Exports 851951.00 702680.00 Dec 2025
Balance of Trade 213.62 114.11 USD Billion Feb 2026
China Trade Balance – Yuan Terms 637.55 865.94 CNY Billion Feb 2026
Electric Car Exports 235229.00 199836.00 Units Dec 2025
Exports 656.58 656.58 USD Billion Feb 2026
Exports YoY 21.80 6.60 percent Feb 2026
Exports – Yuan Terms 2099.43 2518.36 CNY Billion Feb 2026
Imports 442.96 442.96 USD Billion Feb 2026
Imports YoY 19.80 5.70 percent Feb 2026
Imports – Yuan Terms 1461.88 1652.42 CNY Billion Feb 2026
Terms of Trade 94.50 93.90 points Dec 2025


China Balance of Trade
Since 1995, China has been recording consistent trade surpluses. Exports are dominated by machinery and transport equipment—especially electrical machinery, telecommunications devices, office machines, and industrial machinery—alongside manufactured goods, textiles, chemicals, and food products. The European Union and the United States are the largest destinations, supported by regional markets including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Germany, India, and the Netherlands. Imports are driven by machinery, energy products, industrial raw materials, and chemicals, sourced mainly from the EU, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the US, and Australia. This mix of high-value exports and essential imports generally results in a persistent trade surplus, highlighting China’s role as a global manufacturing hub and a major consumer of raw materials.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
213.62 114.11 213.62 -61.99 1981 - 2026 USD Billion Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
China Trade Surplus Beats Estimates
China’s trade surplus stood at USD 213.62 billion in the first two months of 2026, exceeding market expectations of USD 196.6 billion and following a record surplus of USD 1.189 trillion in 2025. Exports surged 21.8% yoy to USD 656.58 billion, accelerating sharply from a 6.6% rise in December and far surpassing forecasts of 7.1%. The jump marked the fastest growth in shipments since October 2021, boosted by firm global demand and a strong start to the year. Meanwhile, imports climbed 19.8% to USD 442.96 billion, well above expectations of 6.3% and quickening from 5.7% in December. It was the strongest pace of purchases since early 2022, reflecting solid domestic demand during the festive season. China merges January–February trade data to smooth distortions from shifting Lunar New Year timing, which typically disrupts activity. Trade balances are likely to draw attention ahead of a planned visit by U.S. President Trump to Beijing at the end of March for talks with Xi Jinping.
2026-03-10
China’s 2025 Trade Surplus Hits $1.2 Trillion
China posted a record USD 1.189 trillion trade surplus in 2025, with exports rising 5.5% while imports were flat. Faced with Trump's tariffs, Chinese exporters shifted production away from the US market and toward alternative destinations, particularly the EU and Southeast Asia. In December alone, the surplus reached USD 114.1 billion, marking the seventh time monthly surpluses exceeded USD 100 billion last year. Exports grew by 6.6% yoy, after a 5.9% in November, surpassing expectations of 3.0% growth, marking the fastest pace since September, driven by a surge in exports to non-US markets, as governments have sought to diversify export destinations since Trump’s victory in the November 2024 presidential election and to deepen trade ties with ASEAN and the EU. Meanwhile, imports rose 5.7% yoy, beating expectations of 0.9% and marking the fastest pace in six months. China’s trade surplus with the US fell to USD 23.25 billion in December, down from USD 23.74 billion in November.
2026-01-14
China’s Trade Surplus Reaches $1 Trillion
China’s trade surplus topped a record $1 trillion in the first 11 months of the year despite a deepening slump in shipments to the US with exports rising 5.4% while imports shrank 0.6%. In November alone, the surplus reached $112 billion, the third-largest on record and well above expectations, as exports rose more than imports. Exports increased 5.9% yoy, beating forecasts for 3.8% growth and rebounding from a 1.1% fall in October, boosted by a surge in shipments to non-US markets amid governments’ efforts to diversify export destinations since Trump won last November's presidential election and to deepen trade ties with ASEAN and the EU. Meanwhile, shipments to the US slumped by 28.6%, marking the 8th straight month of double-digit declines. Imports rose 1.9%, below expectations for a 2.8% rise but above the 1.0% gain in October. China’s trade surplus with the US fell to USD 23.74 billion in November, down from USD 24.76 billion in October.
2025-12-08