China’s trade surplus tops $1 trillion
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on SABC News
Illustrative image · Oleksiy · Pexels · Licence PexelsChina’s trade surplus has exceeded $1 trillion over the first ten months of the year, driven by the global rush for artificial intelligence infrastructure. According to customs data, exports jumped 35.2% in October, which could heighten tensions with the European Union.
China’s trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion over the first ten months of the year, reaching $1.04 trillion, according to customs data published on Tuesday. Exports rose 35.2% in October year on year, in dollar terms, while imports grew 41.6%, well above the 32% expected in the Reuters poll.
It is the second consecutive year that the $1 trillion threshold has been crossed, and a month earlier than in 2025. This rise owes much to the global race for artificial intelligence infrastructure, which supports sales of Chinese technology products, while domestic consumption remains weak and the property sector remains in crisis.
The surplus risks fuelling tensions with the European Union, which secured from Beijing a limit on Chinese exports of hybrid vehicles to the bloc. Economist Joe Peissel of Trivium China believes that 'the risk of additional tariffs and other trade barriers will remain high in 2027'. China has also extended by two months the trade truce with Washington, which was due to expire on 10 November. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will be held next week in Shenzhen, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are due to meet for the third time this year.
