• China's trade surplus hit over $1 trillion for the first time amid strong export growth.
• Exports grew by 5.9% year-on-year in November, while imports rose only 1.9%.
• Shipments to the U.S. fell nearly 29%, highlighting the shift to other markets.

China's trade surplus has broken records, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time in history, as strong export growth mitigated declining shipments to the United States. In November 2025, exports surged by 5.9% year-on-year to $330.35 billion, while imports rose only 1.9% to $218.67 billion, resulting in a significant trade surplus of $111.68 billion for the month, according to SCMP, Reuters, and The Jakarta Post.

Despite ongoing trade tensions and tariffs from the U.S., which have caused exports to drop nearly 29% year-on-year, China has successfully pivoted towards other markets. Shipments to Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia made up for the losses, with exports to the EU alone growing 14.8% in November, reports India Times, Al Jazeera, and NPR.

Analysts emphasize that China's ability to adapt its trade strategies has been crucial. As Zichun Huang from Capital Economics noted, "the weakness in exports to the US was more than offset by shipments to other markets," indicating a shift in strategy following Trump's tariffs and ongoing trade wars. Exports are expected to remain resilient thanks to diversifying markets and improving price competitiveness, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

Despite positive export figures, the broader economic context remains concerning, with China's factory activity contracting for the eighth consecutive month. This has led to cautious forecasts regarding the future sustainability of export-led growth, as noted during the recent meetings of Chinese government officials focused on economic strategy moving forward. Future policies are likely to prioritize domestic demand growth to offset reliance on external markets, as highlighted by insights from India Times and Los Angeles Times.