China’s foreign trade demonstrated resilience in the first half of 2025, with total goods imports and exports growing 2.9% year-on-year to 21.79 trillion yuan ($3.05 trillion), according to Monday’s customs data. The figures highlight shifting global demand patterns as exports surged 7.2% while imports contracted 2.7% during the six-month period.
Export Strength vs. Import Adjustments The 7.2% export growth – driven by sustained demand for Chinese electronics, renewable energy equipment, and electric vehicles – contrasts with a 2.7% import decline, reflecting domestic manufacturers’ reduced raw material needs amid industrial upgrades. Analysts suggest this trade surplus could bolster the yuan’s stability in volatile currency markets.
Yuan-Denominated Trade Gains Momentum Notably, the 2.9% overall growth is calculated in yuan terms, underscoring Beijing’s push to internationalize its currency. This comes as more trading partners adopt yuan settlements to hedge against dollar volatility, particularly in energy and commodities markets.
The General Administration of Customs emphasized that these results were achieved despite "protracted weak recovery in major Western economies." The data arrives as global manufacturers increasingly look to Chinese supply chains to meet demand from developing Asian markets.
