China reported a record trade surplus of $1.189 trillion in 2025, defying renewed tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, according to reports from The Guardian. The surplus, equivalent to the GDP of a major economy, underscored the nation's export strength despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
The record surplus raised concerns about China's trade practices and the global over-reliance on Chinese products, particularly as the nation's producers braced for three more years of a Trump administration focused on shifting US orders to other markets. The Guardian reported that the results for 2025 risked further unsettling economies about China's trade practices and overcapacity.
The surplus was driven by a focus on expanding trade relationships with Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This resilience of Chinese firms signaled a potential shift in global trade dynamics as they adapted to ongoing trade tensions, according to The Guardian.
Despite the tariffs and a domestic property slump, China's yuan held steady following the release of the upbeat trade data. The Guardian noted that China's strong export run emboldened Chinese firms.
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