Breaking the $1T Ceiling: China 2025 Trade Surplus Record Despite Trump Tariffs

Tariffs went up, but so did the surplus. China just hit a historic $1.19 trillion trade milestone, proving that even Donald Trump’s aggressive trade campaign couldn't stall the world's largest export machine.

China 2025 Trade Surplus Record: Defying Global Headwinds

According to Reuters, Beijing reported the world's largest-ever trade surplus on Wednesday, reaching $1.19tn for 2025. It's the first time the country's full-year surplus has surpassed the $1tn mark, shattering the previous record of $993bn set in 2024.

The figures come as a surprise to many, considering the turmoil sparked by President Trump's sweeping tariffs last April. While direct trade with the US weakened, China pivoted successfully toward South East Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Exports of green tech, AI products, and robotics were the main engines behind this growth.

A 'Mixed Blessing' for the Chinese Economy

Despite the record-breaking numbers, analysts at the Hinrich Foundation call this a "mixed blessing." The massive surplus is partly due to a weak domestic market; China's property crisis and rising debt have cooled internal demand, causing imports to rise by a meager 0.5%. Essentially, China is selling more while buying almost nothing from the outside.

Looking ahead to 2026, the global environment remains uncertain. While Trump and Xi Jinping managed to pause hostilities during their October 2025 meeting in South Korea, moderate tariffs are still in place, and other nations are growing increasingly concerned about being flooded with low-priced Chinese goods.