China's foreign trade opened 2026 with robust growth, as first-quarter imports and exports surged 15% year-on-year to 11.84 trillion yuan ($1.63 trillion), according to customs data released on April 14. This marks the strongest quarterly performance since 2021 and the first time Q1 trade has crossed the 11 trillion yuan threshold.
Key Drivers and Sector Performance
Exports rose 11.9% to 6.85 trillion yuan, while imports jumped 19.6% to 4.99 trillion yuan, reflecting strengthening domestic demand. Deputy Customs Chief Wang Jun attributed the growth to 'resilient global partnerships and optimized trade policies,' emphasizing that the figures signal stable economic momentum.
Private Enterprises Lead Expansion
Private firms drove 57.3% of total trade, contributing 6.78 trillion yuan—a 16.2% annual increase. Their expanding role highlights structural shifts in China's economy, with innovative SMEs increasingly shaping global supply chains.
