China’s trade surplus has surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time, reaching $1.08 trillion as of November, according to the country’s General Administration of Customs. This milestone marks a significant achievement, with China being the only nation to reach this level. The customs agency reported that total exports grew 6.2% year-on-year to 24.46 trillion yuan ($3.46 trillion) in the first 11 months of 2025, while imports increased 0.2% to 16.75 trillion yuan ($2.37 trillion).
The country’s exports have been driven by manufactured goods, with China’s customs agency noting that these products have saturated markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. This has put pressure on traditional rivals such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea. China’s exports to the European Union are more than twice as high as imports from the bloc, with the EU accounting for 13% of China’s total foreign trade. The ASEAN nations are China’s largest trading partner, while the US ranks third, despite a decline in exports to the US of nearly a fifth due to the ongoing trade war.
In November alone, China recorded a $111.68 billion trade surplus, its third-largest ever in a single month. The country’s trade surplus has been a significant factor in its economic growth, and this latest milestone is expected to have implications for the global economy. China’s growing trade surplus has also led to an increase in its foreign exchange reserves, which can be used to invest in other countries or to stabilize the yuan.
The General Administration of Customs reported that China’s exports to the EU have been driven by a range of products, including vehicles, electronics, and machinery. The country’s trade relationship with the EU is expected to continue to grow, with the EU seeking to increase its exports to China. In contrast, China’s trade relationship with the US has been impacted by the trade war, with both countries imposing tariffs on each other’s goods.
The significance of China’s trade surplus cannot be overstated, as it highlights the country’s growing economic influence and its increasing role in global trade. As the world’s second-largest economy, China’s trade policies and relationships with other countries will continue to have a significant impact on the global economy. With its trade surplus expected to continue growing, China is likely to remain a major player in international trade for the foreseeable future.
