Record Half-Year Trade Volume
China's total goods trade in the first half of 2026 reached 25.47 trillion yuan ($3.5 trillion), marking the first time the country's semi-annual trade volume has surpassed the 25-trillion-yuan threshold, according to data from the General Administration of Customs released on July 14. This represents a year-on-year surge of 16.9%, sustaining China's position as the world's largest goods trader.
Q2 2026 trade reached 13.61 trillion yuan, up 18.4% year-on-year—the highest quarterly growth rate since Q3 2021. In US-dollar terms, total exports in H1 2026 stood at $2.13 trillion, up 17% year-on-year, while imports climbed 26.6%, reflecting both domestic rebalancing and stronger commodity demand.
AI as a Trade Acceleration Engine
What distinguishes this cycle from previous export booms is the prominent role of artificial intelligence. AI-powered manufacturing, smart logistics, and cross-border e-commerce platforms are cited by analysts as key enablers of the trade surge. The integration of AI into supply chains has reduced lead times, improved quality control, and enabled Chinese firms to customize products at scale for global buyers.
High-tech computing hardware and optical module segments posted particularly outsized export gains, while cross-border e-commerce has become a major channel for SME exports. Analysts at Caixin note that China's trade dynamics are being reshaped from "made in China" to "intelligently connected from China."
Reversal: Import Growth Outpaces Exports
A notable structural shift in H1 2026 is that import growth (26.6% YoY) has outpaced export growth (17%), a historically rare occurrence that suggests domestic demand rebalancing and the government's push for higher-value imported components. China's trade surplus, while still positive, has narrowed as a result, potentially easing external friction with major trading partners.