China’s Trade August 2026

According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, expressed in U.S. dollars, China’s trade growth accelerated in August 2026, exports increased by 25 per cent year-on-year, while imports increased by 28 per cent. The trade surplus reached USD 119 billion, compared with USD 112.5 billion in July. In the first eight months of 2026, the cumulative trade surplus reached USD 805.5 billion.

Mechanical and electrical products remained China’s main exports, while major imports included crude oil, iron ore, and high-tech components.

China confirmed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as its top trading partner, with approximately USD 878 billion in total trade during the January–August 2026 period, followed by the European Union (approximately USD 620 billion) and the United States (approximately USD 408 billion).

Trade with ASEAN member countries grew by 20.6 per cent in the first eight months of 2026, while trade with African countries increased by 18.5 per cent. Trade with countries in the LATAM region, which includes Mexico, Central America, and South America, rose by 14.5 per cent.

China’s exports to the European Union increased by 6.6 per cent in August, while exports to the United States increased by 34.4 per cent. Imports from the European Union increased by 0.7 per cent, while imports from the United States increased by 17.8 per cent.

Imports from the European Union decreased in the case of the Netherlands (-1.5 per cent) and increased in the case of France (16.4 per cent). Imports from Germany recorded a negative trend (-4.1 per cent), while those from Italy recorded a positive trend (11.9 per cent).