China breaks record: trade surplus exceeds $1 trillion for first time in history

China officially recorded a historical record: the country’s trade surplus exceeded for the first time 1 trillion dollars.

The surplus reached $1.08 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025, despite external headwinds and continued pressure from the world’s largest economies, according to the Directorate General of Customs.

During this period, exports grew by 6.2%, reaching 24.46 trillion yuan ($3.46 trillion). Imports increased minimally, by just 0.2%, to 16.75 trillion yuan ($2.37 trillion), further widening the gap between goods flows.

It was separately noted that in November alone, China recorded a surplus of $111.68 billion – third largest value in history.

According to the customs service, manufacturing remains the engine of growth, from sophisticated electronics to automobiles. Chinese goods continue to rapidly increase their presence in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin Americaincreasing pressure on traditional industrial competitors: Germany, Japan and South Korea.

China exports to countries European Union in 2025, it is estimated that there will be at least double the imports from EUwhich reflects a growing imbalance. The EU remains China’s second most important trading partner, accounting for about 13% of the country’s foreign trade. In first place are the ASEAN states.

Amid trade confrontation with USA Chinese exports to the American market fell by almost 20%. However, the US ranks third among Beijing’s largest partners, with trade turnover of 3.69 trillion yuan in January-November.

The rise of China’s surplus strengthens the country’s global economic position and at the same time heightens tensions in the global trading system, where many states are increasingly talking about the need for protective measures and reform of international supply chains.

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