Key Highlights:
- China recorded ~$1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025
- Factory activity returned to growth with PMI at 50.4
- Trade with ASEAN, Africa, and EU continues to expand
- China remains central to global supply chains
- Ongoing talks signal stable engagement ahead of summit
As attention builds around a potential Trump–Xi summit, China is approaching discussions from a position of strong economic momentum. The country posted a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025, supported by growing exports to ASEAN, Africa, and the European Union, reflecting successful diversification beyond traditional markets.
At the same time, China’s manufacturing sector continues to show resilience, with factory activity returning to expansion at a PMI of 50.4 in March 2026, marking its strongest performance in over a year.
Despite ongoing global trade shifts, China remains a key pillar in international supply chains, with businesses worldwide continuing to rely on its production capacity and efficiency.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trumps-trade-war-with-china-focus-ahead-may-summit-2026-04-06/
