China recorded a sharp increase in exports during the first two months of the year, even as trade frictions with the United States persisted.
Government statistics indicate that overseas shipments rose by over 20% in January and February, nearly three times higher than economists had forecast. The strong performance puts the country on course to surpass the record annual trade surplus it achieved in 2025.
The data was released ahead of a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to China in early April, where he is expected to hold talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
As the world’s second-largest economy, China continues to depend heavily on exports while facing several domestic challenges, including weak consumer demand, a declining population and ongoing difficulties in the property sector.
Authorities in Beijing usually combine trade figures for January and February to offset fluctuations caused by the Lunar New Year, which occurs on different dates each year.
Robust global demand for electronics played a major role in driving export growth, while shipments of agricultural products and manufactured goods also increased.
Trade with European markets expanded by 27.8%, and exports to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which includes countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Philippines rose by nearly 30%.
However, exports to the United States declined by more than 10% after tariffs and other trade restrictions were introduced by Trump in an effort to address the trade imbalance between the two nations.
Recently, China announced an economic growth target of between 4.5% and 5% for the year, slightly lower than the 5% goal set for 2025, which was largely achieved due to strong export performance.
Foreign shipments have remained a crucial pillar of China’s economic expansion, helping support growth despite subdued domestic spending and a prolonged downturn in the real estate market.
The upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi takes place as China, along with several other Asian economies, faces the economic fallout from tensions linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets.