Key Points
- US-bound shipments rise to $47.9 billion as China’s trade surplus widens
- Exports grow beyond forecasts, accelerating from 25 per cent in August
- Imports rise 31 per cent, beating expectations of a 24.5 per cent increase
- US-bound shipments rose after Trump-Xi meeting
BEIJING: China’s exports to the United States jumped 39.6 per cent year on year to $47.9 billion in September, as overall Chinese exports surged 36.3 per cent, official customs data showed on Wednesday.
Highlighting rising overseas demand for Chinese goods, shipments to the US, the world’s largest economy, increased from $42.5 billion in August, according to China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).
The bilateral figures were released weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump met in Washington.
China’s total exports reached $447.18 billion in September, after they grew 25 per cent year on year in August. The latest growth rate substantially exceeded economists’ forecasts of 25.5 per cent.
Imports also accelerated, rising 31 per cent year on year to about $313.65 billion, against 28.2 per cent in August. Economists had expected it at 24.5 per cent.
Higher export growth than imports lifted China’s merchandise trade surplus to $133.53 billion for September, exceeding market expectations of $118.1 billion.
China tech demand supports exports
Strong global demand for technology-related products has helped sustain Chinese export growth. Semiconductors, computing equipment and other advanced manufactured goods contributed to overseas shipments.
China’s export performance has remained resilient despite trade restrictions, tariff disputes and major economies’ efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
Its manufacturers continue to serve markets across Asia, Europe and North America.
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The September figures also suggest Chinese exporters maintained strong momentum entering the final quarter of the year.
However, the monthly growth rate does not establish whether demand will remain at the same level in the coming months.
Trade surplus comes under scrutiny
China’s widening trade surplus is likely to sustain international debate over global trade imbalances and competition from its manufacturing sector.
It can support industrial production and foreign-exchange earnings, but persistent surpluses can also prompt trading partners to call for more balanced trade.
Strong overseas sales help sustain factory activity, although export growth alone does not establish that household spending and domestic investment are recovering at a similar pace.
The September import increase also points to stronger demand for goods purchased from abroad.
The US-China trade relationship remains a key factor for global commerce.
The two countries reached agreements during the leaders’ meeting in Washington, including planned tariff reductions covering $30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods from each side.
The September customs figures show a sharp rise in US-bound shipments, but they do not establish that the meeting or its agreements caused the increase.
China’s ability to sustain export growth will depend on overseas demand, trade policy and the competitiveness of its manufacturers.
The latest figures nevertheless underline the continuing importance of Chinese exports to global supply chains and the wider economy.
The latest China-US trade confrontation began in 2018, when the US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports to address trade imbalances, intellectual property disputes and concerns over Chinese industrial policies.
Beijing retaliated with tariffs on American goods, triggering years of trade restrictions and negotiations. China’s tit-for-tat response influenced the US to opt for negotiations instead of trade curbs.
The dispute intensified in 2025 and 2026, with both countries imposing additional tariffs and export controls before pursuing negotiations to ease tensions.
Despite periodic agreements, trade relations remain fragile, with technology, market access and supply-chain security among the main points of contention.
