As US influence wanes, the Chinese trade surplus strangles manufacturing across the globe

In 2025, China's trade surplus ballooned by 20% to $1.2 trillion, despite tariffs imposed by the United States. While US sales declined, overall exports expanded by over 5%, with significant increases in sales to ASEAN countries and the European Union. This large trade imbalance is negatively impacting manufacturers globally, from Europe to Asia and Latin America. Experts suggest China's export-led surge is straining international economic institutions and undercutting other countries' prosperity. While the US's shift away from globalization isn't solely China's responsibility, its trade policies are exacerbating global economic pressures, potentially threatening the existing global trading order.

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