Record $102 Billion: China Africa Trade Gap 2026 Widens Amid US Tensions
China's trade surplus with Africa hit a record $102 billion in 2025 as Beijing redirected exports to the continent following increased U.S. tariff pressure.
The West is closing its doors, so Beijing is pivoting South. China's trade surplus with Africa just hit a staggering record of $102 billion, a clear sign of shifting global trade flows.
China Africa Trade Gap 2026: A 64.5% Surge in Deficit
According to the latest data from China’s General Administration of Customs, exports to the continent surged 25.8% to $225 billion last year. Meanwhile, Africa's shipments back to China only grew by 5.4% to reach $123 billion. It's a massive leap from the previous year's $62 billion gap, reflecting a 64.5% increase in the trade imbalance.
The Trump Factor and Global Supply Chains
The pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs has forced Chinese firms to seek new export markets. Lauren Johnston from the AustChina Institute notes that Africa represents the market with the most latent demand for manufactured goods. Heavy machinery and industrial equipment—essential for African development but not produced locally—made up a significant portion of these imports.
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