China’s trade surplus has hit a record $1 trillion, despite Trump-era tariffs.
Beijing’s exports rose nearly 6% as China increasingly pivots to alternative markets beyond the U.S. While exports to the U.S. have declined for most of the year, shipments to Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the European Union have surged.
Morgan Stanley forecasts that by 2030, China’s share of global exports will reach 16.5%, up from about 15% today, driven by its strength in advanced manufacturing and high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles, robotics, and batteries.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his administration have weakened America’s standing on the global stage. These policies are pushing other countries closer to China, sending a clear message to the world: the U.S. (and the dollar) are increasingly seen as unreliable.
First dropped: | Last modified: December 10, 2025