Despite Trump’s Tariff Pressure, China’s Trade Soars

China's trade performance in January and February of this year showed a double-digit growth rate, indicating a sharp recovery in exports. Despite the tough trade pressures imposed by the Donald Trump administration in the United States, China achieved a record trade surplus by leveraging its competitiveness in high-tech products and diversifying its markets.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen applauding while attending the annual session of the National People's Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, the country's total goods imports and exports for January and February 2026 reached 7.73 trillion yuan (approximately 1,649.89 trillion won), an 18.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Exports amounted to 4.62 trillion yuan, a 19.2% increase, while imports reached 3.11 trillion yuan, up 17.1%.

Among these, trade with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states totaled 1.24 trillion yuan, up 20.3% year-on-year. Both exports and imports recorded double-digit growth rates.

During the same period, trade with the European Union (EU) reached 998.94 billion yuan, up 19.9%. Trade with Latin American countries grew by 19.7%, reaching 674 billion yuan. Trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 4.02 trillion yuan, marking a 20% increase from the previous year.

In contrast, trade with the United States fell by 16.9% to 609.71 billion yuan.

In particular, the export growth of Chinese high-tech products stood out. In January and February, exports of machinery and electronic products reached 2.89 trillion yuan, a 24.3% increase compared to a year earlier. Michelle Lam, an economist at Societe Generale, stated, "The surge in China's trade volume seems to reflect demand for tech products driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, similar to what has been seen in South Korea and Taiwan," adding, "China will also benefit from products related to the AI supply chain."

Exports of labor-intensive products such as clothing and toys totaled 702.67 billion yuan, up 15.6%. The agricultural sector saw exports of 120.01 billion yuan, a 9.7% increase.

Imports of machinery and electronic products amounted to 1.21 trillion yuan, a 21.3% rise. In January and February, China imported 210 million tons of iron ore and 96.934 million tons of crude oil.

Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, commented, "The rapid expansion of China's trade market reflects not only traditional industrial goods but also high-tech manufacturing products that are creating new growth engines," adding, "In the context of rising protectionism, the growth of China's foreign trade is a key driver for enhancing supply chain resilience."

Xiaojia Zhi, an economist at Crédit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong, said, "Chinese exports will remain resilient and continue to serve as an important growth engine throughout this year." However, she also pointed out, "Recent tensions in Iran and disruptions in the global energy and chemical supply chains may negatively affect trade flows related to Asia, which could create headwinds for China in the coming months."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.