China’s trade surplus reached $1.04 trillion in the first 10 months of 2026, after exports rose sharply in October, according to figures released by the country’s General Administration of Customs.
Exports climbed 35.2% year over year to $412.3 billion, while imports increased 41.6% to $307.1 billion. The figures were reported by The Associated Press, citing Chinese customs data.
Technology demand supports exports
Demand for products linked to artificial intelligence, including computer chips, data center servers and networking equipment, has helped drive shipments, Euronews reported. Export growth has provided support for China’s economy as domestic activity remains weak and the property sector continues to face longstanding problems.
The accumulated surplus puts China on course to exceed the record $1.2 trillion recorded last year. The $1 trillion threshold was reached in November 2025, according to the report.
China’s October exports to the United States rose 32.9% from a year earlier, customs data showed. The country’s trade surplus with the European Union also grew: it stood at $310.7 billion for January through October, compared with $241.6 billion in the same period of 2025.
China is relying heavily on exports to help meet its official growth target of 4.5% to 5% for 2026. Domestic consumption has been sluggish for several years, and inflation remains below the government’s target of about 2%, the report said.