China June trade surplus with the United States $26.57 billion vs $18.01 billion in May, customs data show

China June trade surplus with the United States $26.57 billion vs $18.01 billion in May, customs data show

China's trade surplus with the United States narrowed to $26.57 billion in June 2025, according to customs data. This figure represents a significant decrease from the $18.01 billion surplus recorded in May 2025. The change was driven by a notable decline in exports to the U.S., which fell by 34.5%, while imports from the U.S. decreased by 18.1% [1].

The overall trade surplus for China in June 2025 stood at $103.22 billion, a substantial increase from the $81.74 billion recorded in the same month last year. This growth was primarily fueled by a 4.8% year-over-year increase in exports, although this figure was slightly below market expectations of 5.0%. Imports, however, fell by 3.4%, more than the expected 0.9% decline [1].

The slowdown in exports to the U.S. can be largely attributed to lingering effects of Trump-era tariffs and ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The trade tensions have led to a significant reduction in U.S. shipments to China, impacting the overall trade balance [1].

For the first five months of 2025, China recorded a total trade surplus of $471.9 billion, with exports rising 6.0% and imports falling 4.9% compared to the same period in 2024. This trend underscores China's continued dominance in global trade, despite the challenges posed by trade tensions with the United States [1].

The narrowing of the trade surplus with the U.S. in June 2025 is a notable development, highlighting the impact of ongoing trade disputes on China's export performance. As negotiations continue and tariffs evolve, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor these trends to gauge their potential impact on China's economic outlook.

References:
[1] https://tradingeconomics.com/china/balance-of-trade