China's annual trade surplus hits a record $1.2 trillion, business with U.S. declines by 20%
Source: CNBC
China’s exports growth in December sharply beat expectations, catapulting the annual trade surplus to a record high, while imports rose at their fastest pace in three months.
Exports surged 6.6% in U.S. dollar terms last month from a year earlier, Chinese customs data showed Wednesday, topping analysts’ median estimate for a 3% growth and accelerating from a 5.9% jump in November.
Imports rose 5.7% in December from a year earlier, topping expectations for a 0.9% growth — strongest since September last year when they climbed 7.4%, according to LSEG data.
China’s exports for the full year grew 5.5% while imports stayed flat, taking Beijing’s trade surplus to $1.19 trillion, up 20% from 2024.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/14/china-trade-data-surplus-exports-imports-december-tariffs-tensions.html