Beijing, March 10: China’s exports recorded a sharp rise in the first two months of the year, highlighting the continued strength of the country’s manufacturing sector despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Official trade data showed that exports increased by more than 20 percent in January and February compared with the same period last year. The figure was nearly three times higher than forecasts by economists, signalling stronger-than-expected demand for Chinese goods in global markets.
The surge places China on track to surpass the record trade surplus it achieved in 2025 and underscores the crucial role exports continue to play in supporting the world’s second-largest economy.
The growth was largely driven by strong international demand for electronics, technology components and high-value manufactured goods that form a key part of global supply chains. Agricultural products and other manufactured items also contributed to the rise in overseas shipments.
Trade data also revealed significant expansion in China’s commercial ties with other regions. Exports to European markets increased by 27.8 percent during the period, while shipments to countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rose by nearly 30 percent, reflecting stronger regional trade connections.
However, exports to the United States declined by more than 10 percent, largely due to tariffs and other trade measures introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Analysts say the figures demonstrate how Chinese manufacturers have increasingly redirected goods to alternative markets in Asia and Europe, helping to offset the impact of restrictions in the American market.
The trade data was released ahead of an expected meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in early April, where trade relations and supply chain issues are likely to feature prominently on the agenda.
China’s reliance on exports comes at a time when its domestic economy faces several structural challenges, including weak consumer spending, a prolonged downturn in the property sector and a shrinking working-age population.
In response to these pressures, Beijing recently set a national economic growth target of between 4.5 percent and 5 percent for 2026, slightly below the previous year’s goal.
Economists say the latest export performance suggests that global demand for Chinese manufactured goods remains strong, helping to sustain economic momentum even as geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies continue to reshape international commerce.
