China's trade surplus exceeds 1 trillion dollars for the first ten months of 2026

On November 10, 2026, Chinese customs data revealed that the country's trade surplus surpassed the 1 trillion dollar threshold within the first ten months of the year, accelerating the timeline compared to 2025 when the milestone was reached in November. Total exports in October reached 412.3 billion dollars, reflecting a 35.2 percent increase overall.

Key export figures show strong growth in major markets, with shipments to the United States rising by 32.9 percent to 46.4 billion dollars, up from 34.9 billion in October 2025. Exports to the European Union grew by 24.4 percent, reaching 54.5 billion dollars, or 48.6 billion euros. These results represent an accumulated trade surplus of 310 billion dollars with the EU over the ten-month period. The surge in export activity occurs amidst a backdrop of international trade tensions, including tariffs previously imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

While the external trade sector remains robust, analysts observe a stark contrast with the current state of China's domestic economy, where internal consumption remains sluggish. The official data confirms that the export-driven growth model continues to dominate China's economic performance despite global economic pressures and trade policy frictions.