China’s vast exports in 2024 exceeded its imports on a scale seldom seen anywhere except during or immediately after the two world wars.

China might not be able to rely on trade to steer it out of trouble as blistering tariffs being considered by US President-elect Donald Trump threaten an already struggling economy.

China’s exports gained momentum in December, with imports also showing recovery, though strength at the year-end was in part fueled by factories rushing inventory overseas as they braced for heightened trade risks under a Trump presidency.

Good morning. China’s trade surplus hits a record ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves returns from Beijing with deals and investments. And Europe’s largest pension fund sells its entire stake in Tesla.

Trump has vowed to impose tariffs of as high as 60% on China, as well as lesser ones with the US’ biggest trade partners, threats that could upend global trade and economic growth.

US seaports handled the equivalent of 451,000 40-foot containers of goods from China in December, a year-over-year increase of 14.5%.

Only a third of China’s trade surplus was with the United States, and only a third of the U.S. deficit was with China. That makes for tricky math for the president-elect.

China's exports reached record levels in 2024 as it braces for new tariffs President-elect Donald Trump said he'll impose after he takes office next week. According to Chinese government figures released Monday,

China's trade surplus grew to $104.84 billion in December, as exports rose faster than expected, according to official customs data released on Monday. Chinese factories rushed to complete orders ahead of higher tariffs threatened by President-elect Donald Trump.

BNP Paribas Asset Management's Chi Lo see a possible upside surprise despite Trump's tariffs threats, noting that China managed to increase export share despite tariffs during Trump 1.0. He predicts the Yuan to weaken to 7.