China exports sharply beat expectations in the first two months as trade surplus surges to highest on record
China's exports grew 21.8% and imports 19.8% in January–February, with trade surplus reaching a record $213.6 billion amid strong external demand and domestic activity.
- On March 10, China reported exports rose 21.8% in January–February, beating the Reuters median of 7.1%, with a record trade surplus of $213.6 billion.
- Amid Lunar New Year distortions, China combines January and February trade data to smooth effects alongside strong two-month figures, following the 'Two Sessions' where Chinese Premier Li Qiang acknowledged U.S. tariffs.
- Compared with December, China's January–February imports increased 19.8%, customs data showed, well above expectations. "Two Sessions" followed by strong trade data signals economic resilience.
- Manufacturers shifted exports to Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America to blunt lost U.S. demand, while earlier Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs remain in effect, reaching as high as 100%.
- Looking toward 2026, policymakers see China on track to surpass a $1.2 trillion trade surplus, as Premier Li Qiang set a 4.5%–5% growth target for 2026.
27 Articles
27 Articles
China's foreign trade is starting the year with strong trade data. However, the figures do not yet show the potential impact of the Iran conflict. Many are looking forward to a meeting at the end of the month.China has surprisingly imported and exported significantly more than expected at the beginning of the year. As reported by the customs authorities in Beijing, exports in US dollars in January and February increased by 21.8 percent compared …
China says trade growth tops forecasts in January to February
BEIJING: China's trade surged by a fifth in the first two months of the year, official data showed on Tuesday (Mar 10), significantly outpacing forecasts despite a plunge in shipments to the United States.Official figures for the first two months of the year - usually combined to account for distortions arisi
China's foreign trade up 18.3% in first two months of 2026
China's foreign trade grew 18.3% year on year in the first two months of 2026, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.Exports rose 19.2% from the same period last year, while imports went up 17.1%, according to the data.
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