Economy & Trade
China trade surplus heads for record as exports rise
China's trade surplus is on course for a record year after exports rose 36.3% year on year in September, official customs data showed Wednesday.
The customs administration reported a $133.5 billion monthly surplus, the largest since January 2025. China's cumulative trade surplus reached $938.1 billion through the end of September, putting it on track to pass the $1.2 trillion record recorded last year.
Imports rose 31% in September. A Bloomberg survey of analysts had forecast export growth of 25.7% and import growth of 25%.
Shipments to the United States rose 39.6% year on year to $47.9 billion, up from $42.5 billion in August. Shipments to the European Union rose 25.3%, while imports from the 27-nation bloc were flat.
EU officials have described the bloc's deficit with China, which runs at more than 1 billion euros a day, as unsustainable and have pledged to rebalance the trading relationship.
Talks last week between EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao ended with an agreement to limit exports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to Europe. Nguyen Hoang Nam, China economist at Capital Economics, said Brussels was considering restrictions in more strategic sectors, but estimated the effect on China's economy would be small.
China has relied on exports to support its annual growth target of 4.5% to 5%, while domestic demand has been weaker. Retail sales grew 0.4% year on year in August.
Update
China recorded a $133.5 billion trade surplus in September, the largest monthly figure since January 2025.
China's cumulative trade surplus through September reached $938.1 billion, putting it on course to exceed last year's $1.2 trillion record.
Shipments to the European Union rose 25.3% in September, while imports from the bloc were flat.
EU officials have called the bloc's trade deficit with China unsustainable and have pledged to rebalance trade.
China and the EU reached an agreement last week to limit exports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to Europe.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 October 2026 at 03:55:40 UTC.
Update
China's exports to the United States reached $47.9 billion in September, according to China's General Administration of Customs.
US-bound shipments were up from $42.5 billion in August.
The US-specific figure came weeks after the two countries' leaders met in Washington.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 October 2026 at 03:27:06 UTC.
Update
China said exports to the United States rose 39.6% year on year in September.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 October 2026 at 03:17:48 UTC.
Update
China's exports rose 36.3% year on year in September.
A Bloomberg survey of analysts had forecast 25.7% export growth and a 25% rise in imports.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 October 2026 at 03:03:05 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source says China is on course for a record annual trade surplus, but the final annual figure is not yet known.
Source
AFP news report published on .