Trump’s Tariffs Falter as China Sets Export Record, Trade Surplus Tops $1 Trillion

Despite tariffs imposed by the United States on China, India, and several other countries, China’s export growth remained strong last year. While exports to the U.S. fell by 20%, China offset the decline by expanding shipments to other global markets, resulting in a record-breaking trade surplus.

According to official data released on Wednesday, China’s trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, reaching approximately $1.2 trillion in 2025—20% higher than the previous year. Exports increased 5.5% year-on-year to $3.77 trillion, while imports remained steady at $2.58 trillion. By comparison, China’s trade surplus in 2024 was $992 billion.

December 2025 saw a 6.6% rise in exports compared to the same month last year, exceeding economists’ expectations. Imports also grew by 5.7%. The strong performance comes despite President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, which caused a sharp decline in exports to the U.S. However, China successfully compensated by increasing exports to South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.

China’s exports to the U.S. dropped 20% in 2025, but shipments to Africa surged 26%, Southeast Asia 13%, the European Union 8%, and Latin America 7%. Robust global demand for computer chips and electronic equipment, along with a rise in automobile exports, contributed to the overall export growth. Analysts project that China’s exports are likely to grow by around 3% this year.

The figures underscore China’s resilience in global trade and highlight the limits of unilateral tariffs in curbing the country’s export dominance.