China recorded strong exports in 2025 with a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus, as producers shifted their focus to markets other than the US amid Trump's tariffs.

Customs data showed that Beijing's global surplus rose 20% from the previous year, which saw a $992 billion surplus. Exports in 2025 stood at $3.7 trillion and imports at $2.58 trillion, government data showed on Wednesday.

The record surplus was aided by a 6.6% bump in exports in the month of December when compared to December 2024, better than what economists expected.

Beijing has been pushing trade to be its growth driver in the face of a prolonged property slump and sluggish domestic demand.

The record-making surplus is likely to unsettle foreign markets already concerned about China's trade practices and their own dependence on Chinese products. 

China to 'open more' in 2026

Trade in 2025 surpassed 45 trillion yuan ($6.4 trillion) for the first time, vice customs minister Wang Jun told a press conference in Beijing, adding it was a "new historical high."

"Some countries have politicized trade issues and limited high tech exports to China, if they hadn't, we would have imported more," he said, without directly reference to the Trump's tariffs.

However, "with more diversified trading partners, [China's] ability to withstand risks has been ‌significantly enhanced," the minister said.

Wang said that China's market would "open more" in 2026, and economists agree that this is likely to occur.

"We continue to expect exports to act as a big growth driver in 2026,” said Jacqueline Rong, chief China economist at BNP Paribas.

Meanwhile, Gary Ng, senior economist at French investment bank Natixis, expects China's exports to grow about 3% in 2026, slightly less than the about 5% growth in 2025.

He expects the trade surplus to remain above $1 trillion this year. 

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher