Chinese exports grew 25% in August year-on-year, reaching 401.44 billion dollars, driven by demand for technological products such as batteries and semiconductors, as well as by seasonal orders before Christmas. Imports increased 28.2% to 282.36 billion dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 119.09 billion dollars. The performance exceeded economists' forecasts and benefited from the worldwide expansion of Artificial Intelligence and concerns about energy security associated with regional conflicts.
The Chinese export sector has maintained strong performance this year, although a series of typhoons caused delays at Shanghai's container ports. Exports to the United States increased 34.4%, to ASEAN grew 30.21%, and to the European Union rose 6.61%. China's trade surplus reached a record value of 1.2 trillion dollars in 2025.
China's growing trade surplus has drawn criticism in the West and led to the adoption of trade restrictions related to Beijing's industrial policy. The United States Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, classified China's current account surplus as "unsustainable" following a meeting of G20 finance ministers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with his American counterpart Donald Trump in Washington at the end of this month, in a meeting where trade, Artificial Intelligence, and the war in Iran are expected to be among the main topics.
